ANC chief whip: Judgment will guide Parliament’s constitutional function in future

The African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament will “abide by the judgment and ensure its implementation as a sound and authoritative constitutional guide”.

The office of the ruling party’s chief whip said it “welcomes and accepts (Thursday’s) judgment of the Constitutional Court in relation to the Nkandla matter”.

The court found that President Jacob Zuma and the National Assembly had neglected their constitutional obligation in failing to implement the remedial action ordered by the public protector’s report on the leader’s homestead.

“The judgment is comprehensive and covers a wide range of constitutional matters‚ and thus require a careful study for the purpose of issuing a detailed response‚” the ANC said.

“We will therefore duly study the judgment‚ including a proper dissection and comprehension on its far-reaching implications on how Parliament conducts its constitutional function in future.

“In the interim‚ we accept without reservations the orders made in the judgment‚ particularly as they relate to Parliament‚ and therefore we will ensure they are fully realised.”

The chief whips’ comments were similar to those issued by the ANC’s national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa‚ who earlier said the party has “noted and respects the unanimous judgment delivered” by the Constitutional Court on Thursday‚ but will “study it in detail and comment further in due course”.