Former President Jacob Zuma yesterday lashed out at his detractors, threatening to release dirt on corrupt people seen as saints – whom he said would get what is coming to them.
Zuma was speaking to a crowd of his faithful supporters outside the Durban High Court yesterday.
The former statesman appeared briefly on charges of fraud‚ money laundering and racketeering.
The matter was adjourned to July 27 and the matter will be heard in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
In the interim‚ the state will consider representations from French multinational company, Thales, to have charges against the company withdrawn.
Outside the court‚ Zuma used the platform to fire a shot at those who sought to see him fall.
“I don’t want to be provoked. They speak about me in public and I am warning them in public. Tell them to stop messing with me‚” he said.
“In the past few years they have played with my name immensely. They said I was corrupt. I know some of them are corrupt and I am warning that I will start speaking about their business.
“It won’t be fun‚ someone who was once seen as a saint…people will find out a lot about them. They will get what’s coming for them.”
This is the second time Zuma has publicly spoken out against his detractors this week.
His initial warning was seen as taking a swipe at the South African Communist Party earlier this week, when he warned against being provoked. Zuma said people were too preoccupied with discussing him instead of discussing their party’s affairs.
Zuma enjoys a strong support base in KwaZulu-Natal‚ including business forums and elements of the clergy. He was joined on stage by ousted North West premier Supra Mahumapelo‚ troubled former SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng and former cabinet member Des van Rooyen.
On his looming trial‚ Zuma said the reasons for his prosecution were entirely political. “I’m not afraid of anything and I will always be here. Judge Nicholson said this case can’t stand and that it’s just politics‚” he said.
Judge Chris Nicholson ruled in 2008 that former President Thabo Mbeki had interfered in a previous case against Zuma.
“They accused me of something I didn’t do. I was at home enjoying my pension money and I see someone on the TV saying Zuma… maybe the name rolls off the tongue nicely.
“We are preparing questions for the judge. We are told there are a lot of witnesses.
“ I am excited to see who they are and where they come from‚” he said. — DDC..