The Zuma Fort

In South Africa we have a unit called the Special Investigation Unit (SIU). The SIU is an independent body, created to investigate institutions or people employed by the state who perform illegal act(s), who squander public funds and who harm the institution of the State. This is a rough definition of course, without going into all the legal stuff. The SIU is accountable to the president and to parliament.

It has now been announced that judge Willem Heath will now head up this sensitive unit. And this is where, as in many cases in South Africa, it becomes murky.

Before the 2009 elections, Jacob Zuma had corruption charges relating to the tainted arms deal hanging over him. Despite his many attempts to approach various courts, he lost each case (at the tax payers expense of course) and thus the charges remained. With Judge Heath In Zuma's corner, the charges were withdrawn due to the flimsy excuse of questioning the motive behind the charges. Bear in mind that various judgments went against Zuma as many other judges decided there was a strong case, based on the evidence Zuma was trying to suppress. With some other clever appointments by the ANC led government and despite outrage from sections of the public, all charges were simply dropped. Heath still maintains the prosecution was 'driven by tainted evidence.' Tape recording secured by the Zuma camp were acquired by questionable means and indicated leaks in National Intelligence.

This appointment brings into question the true independence of the SIU. This appointment was made in place of Willie Hofmeyr (picture at bottom of post with Heath), who is now deputy national director. Unlike Heath, Hofmeyr has no allies to which to please and is known to go after the truth. He is also respected by all the opposition parties and his record speaks for itself.

The ANC led government disbanded the Scorpions. who were an independant police like unit, who went after the big fish, and often caught them, Their success rate was the highest of any police like unit in South Africa.   The replacement, the Hawks has been seen as a toothless unit headed up by political appointments.

This announcement comes on the back of the ANC announcing it wants access to Constitutional Court judgments, with a view to interfere. (this is a post for another day though).

It is clear that as the Zuma camp is securing themselves from legal action from any angle. The dirty Information Bill goes further to prove this. We all know that corruption is rife in our government. It would appear from the top. By passing laws and appointing the correct people to head sensitive units, those in the correct camp are assured of escaping prosecution and also securing friends who would prefer to be in the secure fort.