In the beginning was the word; and the word was with Zuma; and the word was Zuma. Any suggestions to the contrary are part of a counter-revolutionary conspiracy.
The Gospel according to Vavi: "They were conniving… and I feel Zuma, as well as millions of workers who felt there was something untoward in the matter, have been vindicated.
The Gospel according to Phosa: "We have always said Zuma is innocent, and today it was the NPA who said it. We say to the NPA: at last you have seen the light, you have finally seen the truth. Those in the media who have been prosecuting him every day should hang their heads in shame."
The Word of Zuma: "I do not regard myself as being above the law and no public person should be above scrutiny. In the last eight years, I did not use my position to interfere with the due course of the law… and I always presented myself in court whenever needed.
"There is no cloud. There has (sic) been allegations against me and the State has not been able to put up the case. I have not been found guilty in a court of law."
Footnotes of a philistine: (posture check) head still surprisingly upright; definition of 'vindicated' — (1) to clear somebody of blame, guilt, suspicion or doubt (2) to show that somebody or something is justified or correct.
ZUMAGGEDON
Those not quite buying into the Word of Zuma (yes, the counter-revolutionaries and those hanging their heads in shame) are predicting the end of the world as we know it. Justice sacrificed on technicalities; rampant corruption; and politicians who are accountable to no one… so, just more of the same, really.
"This decision is a blow to our democracy that will be felt for years to come. The NPA, in this act, has undermined the Constitution and impoverished our judicial system, thus exposing the people of South Africa to future miscarriages of justice." — Cope.
"It's a shameful day in our country's history. People must brace themselves, our justice system is crumbling. To remedy this situation the voters need to express their disgust at the polls." — Bantu Holomisa.
"It is shocking and outrageous that the ANC's in-fighting and power struggle has landed us in this trouble. What is even worse is the fact that it has been done with millions of rands of taxpayers' money." — Pieter Mulder.
"Zuma must take note that the truth is that the NPA dropped charges in spite of its assertion a few weeks ago that I had 'a winnable case' and also in spite of the Louis Harmse judgment, which stated that 'a prosecution is not wrongful merely because it is brought for an improper purpose." — Patricia de Lille.
There's more… but it all follows pretty much the same formula.
ZUMACRACY
Between the ANC's rewriting of history and the opposition's declarations of righteous indignation, the week has not been entirely devoid of irony.
From Pastor Ray McCauley: "We all have a duty not to erode the integrity of the institution even when some may not agree with its decision."
Integrity? What integrity?
"Our president has always respected the laws of this country. When he was recalled to go to court, he did so," said Paul Mashatile. "We urge the NPA that if they want to earn our respect, they must do the right thing… let them drop the charges tomorrow."
erm… I'm pretty sure there was a threat in there somewhere. Somewhere between 'if they want to earn our respect' (who wouldn't?) and 'drop the charges'.
And, at a Zuma liberation celebration, ANC spokesperson Mcebisi Jonas declared triumphantly: "The people of the Eastern Cape are elated at this decision. There is excitement across the province. This decision goes very far in ensuring we have a hold of the rule of law."
A strong hold. A firm hold. A stranglehold.
Finally, a word from the man of the moment: "My legal team was excellent. Maybe I will explain in future why I chose them to represent me. (I can hazard a guess…) I will explain when I write my book one day."
What did I tell you? The Word of Zuma. Incidentally, it just so happens to be Mosholozi's birthday on Sunday. Yes, that's Easter Sunday. Try to appreciate the irony…
Zuma preaching Gospel of love, forgiveness, polygamy
In his first church campaign appearance after corruption charges against him were dropped last week, ANC leader Jacob Zuma has preached love, forgiveness and polygamy.On his 67th birthday yesterday, Zuma was received with religious songs of praise, hallelujas and a massive birthday cake by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church congregation during its Sunday Easter service at its vast international headquarters.
The church comprises five plots of walled-in agricultural land in the dusty mining region of Westonaria, outside Joburg.
About 150 marriages, including various polygamous ones, were conducted as is traditionally done on religious holidays in this church.
White meringue-dressed brides and grooms, bearing large, white, lace-adorned leaves that they later used to fan them and their brides in the humid church, danced into the church in an almost two-hour-long procession on the beat of jazzy live gospel music.
Except for the marrying couples, the church separates men and women in its seating plans. The congregants wore blue and red uniforms with white pants and skirts.
After his scripted speech, Zuma told the congregation that other churches should learn from this church's endorsement of polygamy, which they justify through a narrow interpretation of the Old Testament in the Bible.
Earlier in his speech, Zuma said democratic South Africa was built on reconciliation and forgiveness.
The ANC leader quoted from various Bible verses preaching love and forgiveness in an attempt to seek unity in the country.
"Hate is an intense and all-consuming emotion. It takes over your whole being as you plot against your perceived enemy. On the other hand, love and forgiveness are liberating emotions," he said.
Zuma told the 30 000-strong congregation, as he had told the Rhema Church as well as Afrikaner religious groupings, that the ANC was built in the church and he wanted them to advise the government.
The church, which normally has its services on Saturdays, is based on the leanings of non-orthodox Judaism and charismatic Christianity and had female journalists scrambling to find hats or scarves to cover their heads, which is obligatory in the church.
Earlier reports said the opposition Cope party was expecting its leader, Mosioua Lekota, to be at the church before Zuma, but church authorities said they did not invite him.
Journalists were forbidden from interviewing church-goers, who "might say something that is not in line with church policy", such as give negative views on Zuma, one of the church's media assistants said.
After leaving the church more than an hour after the scheduled time, Zuma went on to visit a Muslim fete in Mayfair, Joburg, where he quoted verses from the Quran in his speech.
Learning From Hypocrites - (Matthew 23:1-39)
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