The enigma of Zuma-gate

04Aug08

Judging another nation’s politics is always a tricky business. One’s perception is always coloured by the political order in their nation and the coordinates of wrong and right that their culture has instilled. The heavily contrasting reactions of the West and Africa to the debacle that is currently Zimbabwe illustrates this perfectly.

However, when it comes to South African politician Jacob Zuma, it seems that a complete by-pass of common sense has befallen his supporters. Today the ANC president goes to court to argue that the charges of corruption levelled against him are unlawful. However, despite the fact that during his political career Zuma has accrued an arsenal of criminal charges, including rape (though this was quashed), he still benefits from massive support.

One South African paper reports that the Democratic Alliance’s leader Helen Zille said this week: “ANC leaders have now vowed that Zuma will walk free, no matter what evidence there is against him.”

Zuma exceeds the achievements of other so-called Teflon-like politicians. Clinton surprised us all by getting away with some extra-marital action in the Oval office, but Zuma’s political resilience is far greater. Reports claim that supporters will be turning out in their droves today to show him support outside the courtroom, despite his alleged repeated corruption.

What politician in the UK could withstand such repeated attacks on their credibility? And although Zuma was acquitted on the rape charge, it emerged in court that the AIDs campaigner had had (consensual) sex with the alleged victim, whom he know to be HIV positive without wearing a condom. Zuma argued it was safe because he took a shower straight after the act to reduce the risk of infection.

Is any country so desperate that it needs to believe a man like this is still a place to invest their hopes?

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