Jacob Zuma is the ANC's candidate for President

5 February 2009

The African National Congress (ANC) has noted media coverage of a speech made by ANC President Jacob Zuma yesterday (4 February 2009) outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

The ANC wishes to reiterate, once again, that Jacob Zuma is the ANC's candidate for President of the Republic in the forthcoming national elections.

This should come as a surprise to no one. This was a decision of the ANC's Polokwane conference held in December 2007, and has been a matter of public record for over a year now.

The ANC therefore finds it strange that many media institutions have sought to present the statement of this fact as a sensational revelation.

The ANC wishes to make it clear that Zuma was not expressing any personal preference when he spoke on this matter in Pietermaritzburg. He was articulating the position of the ANC, as it is his responsibility to do.

The ANC will not withdraw Zuma's candidature on the basis of allegations that have not been tested in a court of law.

The constitutional principle of presumption of innocence requires that a person not be prejudiced or be considered "tainted" simply because charges have been brought.

There is clearly a concerted effort in a number of quarters to use these charges to undermine the decision of the membership of the ANC. The ANC will not submit to such blackmail.

Just as it observes the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, the ANC will continue to observe the principles of the presumption of innocence and equality before the law. It calls on all political parties, media houses and commentators to do the same.

Issued by:
Jessie Duarte
National Spokesperson

Enquiries:
Jessie Duarte 079 506 6756
Carl Niehaus 072 343 4007
Brian Sokutu 071 671 6919