The nation must applaud the decision by the attorney-general of Mauritius to object to Jacob Zuma's request that Alan Thetard's diary not be given to the NPA.

The nation must applaud the decision by the attorney-general of Mauritius to object to Jacob Zuma's request that Alan Thetard's diary not be given to the NPA.

Zuma recently complained to Mauritius Prime Minister Nevanchandra Ramgoolam that his attorney-general was "cold" towards his lawyer, Michael Hulley.

Asked in Parliament whether he ever met Thetard, Zuma said "no" under oath. Why now object to using the diary as evidence?

Last year Zuma objected to the investigation of off-shore accounts that were not his. There are allegations that the bribe money was deposited into an off-shore account, hence Zuma's objection.

The question is, why object to the diary if Zuma has not met Thetard?

President Thabo Mbeki was correct to release Zuma as his deputy president. The country cannot have a leader who goes in and out of courts and who lobbies Ramgoolam to interfere in the legal process. The BBC interviewer's question, "Are you a crook Mr Zuma?" is relevant.

Martin Blose, Inanda