S'Africa: Zuma criticizes Ramaphosa's absence from court

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has voiced sharp criticism against the country’s judiciary, alleging bias due to the absence of President Cyril Ramaphosa in court during a private prosecution case against him.

Zuma’s remarks came after a postponement of his bid for private prosecution against Ramaphosa at the Johannesburg High Court.

Addressing supporters of the MK Party outside the court, Zuma expressed surprise at Ramaphosa’s non-appearance, linking it to allegations of financial impropriety.

Zuma stated, “The President who follows me does not come to court. It’s surprising because money was found hidden in his pillows and mattress. Yet he doesn’t come and appear in court. What sort of democracy exists in a country where there are those who must go and appear in court for their cases and there are those who don’t attend court? Where is that law?”

Zuma further responded to critics who doubted his eligibility to contest in the upcoming elections, referencing a recent ruling by the Electoral Court affirming his candidacy for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party in the May 29 polls.

He accused opponents of employing various tactics to obstruct his electoral participation, including labeling him as a thief.

Zuma challenged these accusations, stating, “Do you see how they’ve tried preventing us from running for the elections?

They even reported in the newspapers before we could even vote that Zuma will not be able to run for office because he is a thief. Who have I stolen from?… I’m not a thief, who said that I’m a thief? But there are those who we know for sure that they have stolen before.”