afrol News, 14 May - The former South African President and anti-apartheid legend Nelson Mandela has sounded against what he called "destructive divisiveness" in the country.

Mr Mandela fired the comments shortly after he had been conferred on yet another accolade - the Freedom of the City Award - from Pretoria Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa at a private ceremony held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in the commercial capital, Johannesburg, on Tuesday.

Mandela urged his compatriots to "remember the horror from which we come from" and move ahead with national development.

“Never forget the greatness of a nation that has overcome its division. Let us never descend into destructive divisiveness," he warned.

Mandela had earlier said he would not be feted with any award, but he "warmly and with humility" accepted the exceptional award. "We accept this honour from the administrative capital of our nation."

The former President will turn 90 in June.

In a separate development, the Youth League of the governing African National Congress said the party leader's rights to fair and speedy trial have been violated with impunity, as evidenced by the severe compromise of the independence and credibility of organs of state.

The League said the confusion around Jacob Zuma's trial date clearly indicates that the case has taken a political tone, aimed at tarnishing Zuma's image, integrity, persona and bona fide.

"One of the fundamental principles of our jurisprudence is that, justice delayed is justice denied, obviously in this case, this important principle has not been upheld," 'SAPA' quoted the League as saying.

"The NPA should do an honourable thing, tell the South African public of the reasons why they charged the ANC President Jacob Zuma in the first place, for a case that they have failed to present before a competent court in more than seven years."

Leagal teams for Mr Zuma and his co-accused are billed to meet with the NPA and KwaZulu-Natal Judge President, Vuka Tshabalala, on Thursday to finalise a court date.

Zuma had been indicted for fraud, corruption and other economic crimes. He was initially scheduled to appear before Pietermaritzburg High Court on 4 August this year.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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