Why do people still support Zuma? We have 7 answers
The streets of Durban were filled with thousands of former President Jacob Zuma's supporters the morning of his trial.
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Law enforcement officials had to close down roads as pro-Zuma marches took place, church leaders were seen walking arm in arm behind a banner reading "Hands off Zuma".
The former head of state is arguably the most controversial and corrupt leader the country has ever had, yet people seem to rally behind him no matter what.
Founder of Hashtag OUR SA Yusuf Omar went down to Durban to speak with some of Zuma's supporters to find out why they were still backing him.
From his research, Briefly.co.za gathered seven reasons why people still support Jacob Zuma:
1. He's being oppressed
Zuma's supporters firmly believe the ANC is oppressing the former head of state, yet they have no answer to why the governing party would oppress Zuma.
2. He's been beaten
According to Zuma's supporters, he had been 'beaten' because of the Radical Economic Transformation, free education and land issues.
And here we thought it was because of the 16 corruption charges against him.
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3. They're confused
Is it 783 charges or 16 charges? Zuma's supporters are left scratching their heads about his legal status.
4. Zuma is innocent
It's probably the most common believe among his supporters. And, there's no way to prove them wrong until the verdict is read. The law does state 'innocent until proven guilty'.
5. Zuma is good to everyone
According to those backing Zuma, he'd been nothing but good to the people of South Africa. A woman outside court said Zuma was not a choosy man, he loves everyone.
6. Zuma is like Jesus
This one really stretches it. According to one Zuma supporter, the former president was being crucified for sins he did not know of, just like Jesus was in the biblical times.
When Omar told the supporter Zuma was nothing like Jesus, the man said Jesus died for our sins and Zuma is dying for the sins of a black person.
He then said Zuma was being crucified because he is black.
7. The DA's Rupert is killing people with polony
According to the same man who said Zuma was like Jesus, the black ANC comrades opposing Zuma had been infiltrated, presumably by whites.
He then said the DA's Rupert was killing them with polony.
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Source: Briefly News
