SOUTH AFRICA:Controversial African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Jacob Zuma will win next month's race for the leadership of South Africa's ruling party, one of his main rivals predicted yesterday.
Business tycoon Tokyo Sexwale said the situation could change in the remaining three weeks to the ballot, but "the way I see it, Jacob Zuma is going to come out the winner".
Mr Zuma, who in the past 18 months has successfully overcome separate rape and corruption charges, has gained the support of most ANC branches, including the party's influential youth and women's leagues.
Further tacit support has now come from Mr Sexwale, albeit the millionaire businessman and former Robben Island prisoner denied media reports yesterday that he was secretly funding Mr Zuma's campaign.
Mr Sexwale, who has put himself forward as a compromise candidate in the race, said he "can't blame ANC people" for making Mr Zuma the frontrunner. Rounding on some of the deputy president's critics, he also urged people not to "pummel" Mr Zuma over allegations that had gone unproven.
"Don't hound this man after he has been found not guilty by these courts," Mr Sexwale said. "Either you accept these courts, or you don't accept them. Unless you want to destroy the judicial system, say so."
Mr Zuma was acquitted of rape charges last year, but there remained serious doubts about his character after he admitted in court to knowingly having unprotected sex with a HIV-positive woman.
The politician has also faced a string of corruption allegations, having been sacked by president Thabo Mbeki from government two years ago when the allegations first surfaced.
State prosecutors, led by the FBI-style Scorpions, have signalled their intent to charge Mr Zuma in relation to alleged corruption.
Stressing the need for due process, Mr Sexwale said: "There are no charges on Jacob Zuma right now. None. Zero. The Scorpions have not charged Jacob Zuma. Unless we want to be the law enforcement . . . we wait for the Scorpions." Analysts say Mr Zuma's election is by no means a foregone conclusion. In fact, many believe the strong endorsement he has received to date is primarily aimed at discouraging Mr Mbeki from seeking a third term of office.
Commenting on the upsurge in support for Mr Zuma, senior party official Mac Maharaj said it underlined the fact that party members wanted change.
Mr Mbeki, who said this week he was not stepping down from the race, is prohibited under the constitution from running for a third term as president of South Africa.
The ANC operates no such term-limits, however, and critics of the president believe he may use his party leadership in future to exert control over a puppet premier in Union Buildings.