Former Public Protector Prof. Thuli Madonsela has raised significant questions regarding the prosecution of former President Jacob Zuma in connection with the controversial arms deal.
Her comments were made during a capacity-building workshop for the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure in Parliament, where she spoke on ethical leadership and transparency.
During the workshop, Madonsela addressed inquiries from committee members about the ethical implications of current President Cyril Ramaphosa’s past corporate affiliations.
She contended that it is inappropriate to evaluate the ethics of past benefits given to future leaders unless they are receiving those benefits while in office.
The conversation turned to Zuma’s prosecution, with committee member Vivian Reddy questioning the rationale behind the charges related to the arms deal, particularly given Zuma’s role as the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Affairs and Tourism at the time.
Reddy noted that Zuma had no direct influence over the tender process and sought clarification on the ethical consistency of prosecuting Zuma while not holding accountable those directly involved in the arms deal.
Madonsela expressed her confusion over Zuma’s prosecution, stating, “I have never understood why President Zuma was prosecuted for the arms deal.”
She highlighted that many directly involved in the transaction, particularly the suppliers, have not faced similar legal consequences, raising concerns about the perceived unevenness in the application of justice.
Zuma currently faces charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering related to the arms deal, with his trial set to begin on April 14, 2025, after several delays and appeals. As the discussion unfolds, questions about accountability and ethical leadership remain at the forefront of South Africa’s political landscape.
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