Heir apparent fired over graft

South African President Thabo Mbeki sacked his deputy yesterday following accusations of corruption.

The decision to fire Jacob Zuma is seen as an attempt to reassure sceptics ahead of next month's G8 summit that an increase in aid will not be pilfered by corrupt African leaders.

A High Court judge implicated Zuma in graft almost two weeks ago, but Mbeki acted only after his heir apparent refused to resign.

Durban High Court Judge Hillary Squires sentenced flamboyant businessman Schabir Shaik to 15 years in prison for fraud and corruption over $255,000-worth of payments he made to Zuma in exchange for the deputy president's favours in helping Shaik win lucrative government contracts.

Although Zuma was not on trial himself, the judgment sparked calls for his resignation, particularly in view of Squires' damaging finding that the deputy president had maintained a "generally corrupt relationship" with Shaik, who also acted as Zuma's financial adviser.

But a defiant Zuma, who had been considered Mbeki's automatic successor when his second and final terms ends in 2009, refused to resign.

In fact the deputy president embarked on a campaign to rally support among the structures of the ruling African National Congress to prove his popularity in the party and make it hard for the president to dismiss him. This annoyed Mbeki who had unsuccessfully sent emissaries, including Nelson Mandela, to urge Zuma to quit voluntarily.

"I am fully conscious of the fact that the accused in the Schabir Shaik case have given notice of their intention to lodge an appeal," said Mbeki in an announcement to a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament.

"I am equally aware that a superior court may overturn the judgment handed down by Justice Squires.

"However, I have come to the conclusion that the circumstances dictate that, in the interests of the deputy president, the Government, our young democratic system and our country, it would be best to release the Honourable Jacob Zuma from his responsibilities as deputy president of the republic and member of the Cabinet."

In his valedictory speech, Zuma, who was appointed to the post in 1999, said he "accepted and respected" the decision to fire him. He offered to resign his seat in Parliament, but pledged to continue as Mbeki's deputy in the ANC. The ruling party's constitution does not empower Mbeki to fire Zuma from his ANC position.

Mbeki's bold decision has been welcomed across Africa as the continent battles to rebuild its reputation in the wake of billions of dollars being looted by corrupt dictators.

"Mbeki has always dilly-dallied in acting on governance issues in countries like Zimbabwe, but this action on Zuma ... sends a good signal to the upcoming G8 summit in Scotland," said Ben Kalua, professor of economics at the University of Malawi.

Kwamchetsi Makokha, deputy managing editor of the Standard newspaper in Nairobi, said what Mbeki had done was "a good thing for those who insist on good governance and showing that Africa can govern itself properly".

But he doubted whether other African leaders would emulate Mbeki.

Professor John Stremlau, of the Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, said Zuma's sacking was a defining moment for South African democracy and re-affirmed South Africa as "Africa's last great hope".

The worst is not yet over for Zuma, an anti-apartheid icon who was imprisoned with Mandela before slipping into exile in 1973. He might still be personally charged with corruption and jailed.

- INDEPENDENT