Malema in forgiving mood

JOHANNESBURG (Sapa) - ANC youth leader Julius Malema preached forgiveness on Thursday,  saying South Africa needed to close the chapter on an alleged political conspiracy against ruling party leader Jacob Zuma.

"Let's go back to 1994... those who are saying, 'let's arrest', are not putting the interests of the country first," Malema told reporters in Johannesburg.

"[Former chief prosecutor] Bulelani Ngcuka, McCarthy [former Scorpion's boss Leonard McCarthy], whatever else they did, we should say, as a South African society, let's close this chapter, let's move forward."

In a conciliatory mood, Malema said the league did not support any commission of inquiry into the alleged political conspiracy.

The African National Congress and the country's focus should rather be on service delivery, he said.

"If you support commissions, if you support charges, you are effectively saying even when Zuma is not charged, he must go and give evidence against the people because they are charged in relation to him."

"So again, our president, having not been charged, will still have to go to court to give evidence and that is something we don't want," Malema said.

Earlier, the Progressive Youth Alliance called for former president Thabo Mbeki, Ngcuka, McCarthy and others involved in the alleged conspiracy to be arrested.

But Malema said the country should rather focus on delivering to its people.

"If you charge Mbeki you are inviting unnecessary sympathy for him because the highest price Mbeki paid was when we recalled him as president."

The ANCYL's position seemed to be contrary to that of the ruling party, which welcomed National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) suggestions for a commission of inquiry into the alleged political conspiracy.

On Wednesday, ANC Treasurer General Matthews Phosa called for the NPA to review all its former and current cases to ensure there had been no political meddling.

Malema said the ANC had made its decision to support such an inquiry but that the youth league would argue against that within the party's structures.

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ZUMA can not afford an investigattion of Mbeki and other If they do investigate Mbeki and others, Zuma might find himself back in court. What if the investigation brings out more about Zuma'a corruption, etc? What Zuma is hoping for is for this to be forgotten within 6 months. by gd on April 09 2009, 14:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma has a country to run Zuma can n't be bothered with this nonsense- he has a counry to run. The pundits can carry on theorising, we have to execute our agenda. The NPA will deal with criminal investigations, not the president. We are electing Zuma to execute the people's . .more business, not to be a prosecutor. . .less by JJ on April 10 2009, 03:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

First law of the ANC NEVER prosecute and jail an ANC member. If they do go to prison, get them out as soon as possible ... Winnie, Boesak, Shaik, Zuma, Yengeni, Selebi, Mcbride are a few high profiles that come to mind but there are hundreds of more examples if you . .more dig deep. The reason there is so much crime in this country is because the ANC is full of corrupt leaders who are above the law. How can these people then claim they want to reduce crime. So an ANC vote is a vote for 'crime in this country to get worse'. And the true tragedy of this, is that the poor are often the hardest hit by crime, yet they don't realise the connection between voting for the ANC and nothing being done about crime. . .less by Sad days on April 10 2009, 12:06 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Hey Julius Man, Julius, how can you say this? Mbeki and his former buddies (Winnie, Boesak, Shaik, Zuma, Yengeni, Selebi, Mcbride, and Carl Niehaus) must be investigated, called in for depositions, searched, questioned by committee and investigated by . .more prosecutors. Just like Mbeki investigated Zuma. This is now tit-for-tat time. We had the tit, now for the tat. Julius, my mate, don't now all of a sudden go weak on Mbeki and mates. They were out to get Zuma. Now you must get them. . .less by JVR on April 10 2009, 23:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Motormouth malema Of course he doesn't want an independant judiciary asking uncomfortable questions about the whole sorry affair. They would have to subpoena Zoomer back to court as a witness. He would make a total A*** of himself under cross . .more examination. Malemas appeal has nothing to do with "forgiveness" or any other moral issue. It is about political expediency, once again. . .less by Burtfred on April 13 2009, 09:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Political Coment Let look in the feture and service delivery. I would like to plea South Africans to go to vote the parties of their choice, in accordence with promices in their capaighnes. We all know that everyone need to eat. let vote for them, they will forget us . .more after election, but i understand cde Thabo Mbeki has been steped down in oder to give someome. for fellow combrades. It mean South Africa is belong to all. No one is going to be in office for the sake of his own bennefit. Cde Mbekin has done well in the side country Economy. I need to rainforce to this: "peaple shall share the countrys wealth". i did not saw peaple shering the weath but rich peaple were giting rich and richer. I am not in fever of any man but but the actions after the Elections. i wish to meet one of ANC top leaders to go with me to show the places where peaple are suffering. . .less by Mr Gezani Chauke on April 14 2009, 12:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

MALEMA Boet, dont forgive just yet cause it's not over. You see, you cant just wish things away and what has made most western nations so wealthy and powerful is the inherent quest for it's people to propogate justice and keep their goverments accountable. The . .more bad news for you is that there are still a couple of million whites left in this country and we will not let you pull the wool over the millions of black, poor peace loving people in RSA who want dignity in their lives. . .less by J on April 14 2009, 13:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

comment on malema's statement i don't think we should abondun these political cases involving our leaders.they should be all prosecuted so that the truth come out and then it'l be a learning lesson to future leaders that corruption is not an option to fundraise themselves. by nhlalonhle dladla on April 14 2009, 14:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

God is watching Julius, your boss will still have his day in court. by Reitz on April 14 2009, 15:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

malema you know thw truth Why are you so scared that ur boss must not go to caurt? there is never a smoke without fire. he might be free for now but his day will come and all the others who interefered with the case. by mna on April 16 2009, 14:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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