The “scathing unanimous judgment” against President Jacob Zuma by the Constitutional Court requires the sanction of impeachment‚ the Democratic Alliance (DA) said yesterday.
It should also see the Speaker of the National Assembly‚ Baleka Mbete‚ resign‚ and her failure to do so would result in the DA “tabling a further motion of no confidence in her”‚ DA leader Mmusi Maimane said.
The DA had earlier called it a “pivotal judgment” which “confirmed the long-held contention that Zuma seriously violated the Constitution when he sought to undermine the public protector’s remedial actions by instituting parallel investigative processes” on spending on his Nkandla homestead.
Yesterday, Maimane said that “while it is crucial that the president does indeed follow all of the public protector’s remedial action‚ including paying back a reasonable portion of the cost‚ there is a far greater issue at play here”.
Noting that impeachment “should be reserved for the most serious cases of improper conduct or unlawful conduct by the head of state”‚ he said: “It simply cannot be business as usual when President Zuma has been found to have violated the Constitution‚ and by implication his oath of office.
“The punishment must fit the crime‚ and the crime is of the most serious nature in this case.”
He said the “matter transcends party political interests”‚ and urged “members of parliament‚ representatives of the people of South Africa‚ on either side of the house‚ as well as society as a whole‚ to mobilise to support this motion of impeachment to remove Jacob Zuma from the highest office in the Republic”.
Maimane said Mbete must shoulder the blame for the conduct of parliament which “was also under scrutiny in this scathing judgment”.
“The National Assembly – due to the conduct of the African National Congress (ANC) – flouted its obligations by adopting the resolution based on the police minister’s findings – born of fatal errors in law – exonerating the president from liability.”
“…The DA contends that… Mbete‚ was derelict in her custodial duty to uphold the Constitution (and) must be held accountable for her complicity in this miscarriage of justice”.
Should Mbete not “stand aside and resign‚ we will consider tabling a further motion of no-confidence in her”.
“Her removal would hopefully help restore the institution’s now tattered reputation‚ and we call on all members of the Assembly to support it‚” Maimane said.
“In a Presidency defined by the capture of state institutions by the governing party‚ it is reassuring to see the judiciary remains an independent arm of government‚” he said.
“This should be celebrated by all South Africans.”
“If the impeachment is successful‚ the president will not only be removed from office‚ but he will also lose the perks of office he would have accrued.
“It is therefore not just a removal of the president‚ but a suitable punishment that sends a clear message to South Africa: that there will be zero tolerance for corruption – regardless of who you are.”
DA’s Maimane urges SA to support Zuma impeachment
It should also see the Speaker of the National Assembly‚ Baleka Mbete‚ resign‚ and her failure to do so would result in the DA “tabling a further motion of no confidence in her”‚ DA leader Mmusi Maimane said.
The DA had earlier called it a “pivotal judgment” which “confirmed the long-held contention that Zuma seriously violated the Constitution when he sought to undermine the public protector’s remedial actions by instituting parallel investigative processes” on spending on his Nkandla homestead.
Yesterday, Maimane said that “while it is crucial that the president does indeed follow all of the public protector’s remedial action‚ including paying back a reasonable portion of the cost‚ there is a far greater issue at play here”.
Noting that impeachment “should be reserved for the most serious cases of improper conduct or unlawful conduct by the head of state”‚ he said: “It simply cannot be business as usual when President Zuma has been found to have violated the Constitution‚ and by implication his oath of office.
“The punishment must fit the crime‚ and the crime is of the most serious nature in this case.”
He said the “matter transcends party political interests”‚ and urged “members of parliament‚ representatives of the people of South Africa‚ on either side of the house‚ as well as society as a whole‚ to mobilise to support this motion of impeachment to remove Jacob Zuma from the highest office in the Republic”.
Maimane said Mbete must shoulder the blame for the conduct of parliament which “was also under scrutiny in this scathing judgment”.
“The National Assembly – due to the conduct of the African National Congress (ANC) – flouted its obligations by adopting the resolution based on the police minister’s findings – born of fatal errors in law – exonerating the president from liability.”
“…The DA contends that… Mbete‚ was derelict in her custodial duty to uphold the Constitution (and) must be held accountable for her complicity in this miscarriage of justice”.
Should Mbete not “stand aside and resign‚ we will consider tabling a further motion of no-confidence in her”.
“Her removal would hopefully help restore the institution’s now tattered reputation‚ and we call on all members of the Assembly to support it‚” Maimane said.
“In a Presidency defined by the capture of state institutions by the governing party‚ it is reassuring to see the judiciary remains an independent arm of government‚” he said.
“This should be celebrated by all South Africans.”
“If the impeachment is successful‚ the president will not only be removed from office‚ but he will also lose the perks of office he would have accrued.
“It is therefore not just a removal of the president‚ but a suitable punishment that sends a clear message to South Africa: that there will be zero tolerance for corruption – regardless of who you are.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos