National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams has "declared war" by reinstating charges against Jacob Zuma, one of the former president's brothers said on Saturday.
Speaking to the Sunday Times in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, Khanya Zuma was furious about the decision. "They have declared war. We as the Nxamalala clan are going to fight to the bitter end. We are back to the old days of war," he said.
"My brother went to exile at a very young age to fight for freedom that we are enjoying today. He did not enjoy his youth because he was struggling for black people. Today they are bringing charges against him. They are now conspiring against him," he said.
"We are what we are in this country because of Gedleyihlekisa [Zuma's middle name]. But today they say Gedleyihlekisa is corrupt."A few minutes after the interview with the Sunday Times began, Zuma's bodyguards intervened and asked Khanya who he was talking to. When he explained, they backed off but warned him they did not want journalists around.
Khanya said he would support Zuma throughout the case and attend his court appearances. His wife Sabani added: "[Zuma] spent most of his life in prison fighting for the people and now they want him to go back to prison. It means that he will never have time to spend with his family.
"They can't even have mercy on MaKhumalo [Zuma's first wife], who spent most of the time alone while Zuma was in prison. She persevered. And today she is seeing her husband being vilified and the prospects of him going to prison again. I am so angry. If it was up to me I would not even vote for the ANC."
Another of Zuma's brothers, Joseph, said: "Where are all these charges coming from? I don't feel right about this.
"First my brother was forced out of office before he could finish his term and now they are reinstating charges against him. There is a war being waged against him which I don't understand. What kind of life is he going to live?"Attempts by the Sunday Times to contact Zuma through his personal assistant were fruitless. A family member, who did not want to be identified, said the former president normally did not talk about his problems.
"uBaba always shoulders his problems himself. Usually we don't know what he thinks about issues affecting him. We also don't know how he feels about these charges he is now facing."
The relative said Zuma had convened a family meeting shortly after returning from Pretoria about two weeks ago, when he told his relatives he would brief them about his removal from office.
Zuma's eldest son, Edward, said he would be issuing a statement on the latest developments around his father...