Once a shining beacon‚ the Constitution is being vandalised by a president who cares only for himself and those close to him‚ Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane asserted on Saturday.Maimane referred to the adoption of the Constitution 20 years ago as a “truly miraculous moment”‚ when hundreds of public representatives from different walks of life – and with vastly different views – had come together and drafted one of the most progressive Constitutions the world had ever seen.
South Africa was a shining beacon and the pioneers of transformative constitutionalism‚ he added.
Unfortunately‚ twenty years later‚ and the country had regressed.
“Instead of ensuring that our Constitution is upheld and the rights it contains are protected and realised‚ we see it being vandalised by a president who cares only for himself and those close to him‚” Maimane told DA supporters at a gathering in Tshwane.
The disrespect for the Constitution and the Rule of Law‚ he added‚ began with President Jacob Zuma‚ but it certainly didn’t end there.
“You need look no further than our Parliament‚ and the recent developments there‚ to witness the extent to which our Constitution has been undermined. Parliament has become a lapdog whereby the sins of the President are absolved rather than admonished.
“That is why the Constitutional Court found that Parliament violated the Constitution and breached its obligations under sections 55(2) and 181(3) of the Constitution when it absolved President Zuma of compliance with the remedial action in Secure in Comfort‚ instead of facilitating its enforcement as was expected by the Public Protector.
“This is why Parliamentary sittings have become an embarrassment on the international stage‚ as members are routinely removed by Parliament’s bodyguards‚ and debate is stifled by a compromised and impartial Speaker in Baleka Mbete.
“That is why just two days ago‚ Parliament took a decision to approve the Presidency’s budget‚ effectively giving Zuma more taxpayers money for lavish travel‚ luxury government accommodation‚ and to pay for staff‚ cars‚ and secretaries for his wives and family‚” Maimane asserted.
The budget would also fund the President’s never-ending legal bills‚ as he spent millions of rand in protracted court battles in order to keep himself in office and out of jail‚ the DA leader contended.
“But this works well for Jacob Zuma‚ because when Parliament does not work‚ the Constitution – the supreme law of the land – is undermined‚” he added.
Broken constitution means a broken SA‚ says Maimane
South Africa was a shining beacon and the pioneers of transformative constitutionalism‚ he added.
Unfortunately‚ twenty years later‚ and the country had regressed.
“Instead of ensuring that our Constitution is upheld and the rights it contains are protected and realised‚ we see it being vandalised by a president who cares only for himself and those close to him‚” Maimane told DA supporters at a gathering in Tshwane.
The disrespect for the Constitution and the Rule of Law‚ he added‚ began with President Jacob Zuma‚ but it certainly didn’t end there.
“You need look no further than our Parliament‚ and the recent developments there‚ to witness the extent to which our Constitution has been undermined. Parliament has become a lapdog whereby the sins of the President are absolved rather than admonished.
“That is why the Constitutional Court found that Parliament violated the Constitution and breached its obligations under sections 55(2) and 181(3) of the Constitution when it absolved President Zuma of compliance with the remedial action in Secure in Comfort‚ instead of facilitating its enforcement as was expected by the Public Protector.
“This is why Parliamentary sittings have become an embarrassment on the international stage‚ as members are routinely removed by Parliament’s bodyguards‚ and debate is stifled by a compromised and impartial Speaker in Baleka Mbete.
“That is why just two days ago‚ Parliament took a decision to approve the Presidency’s budget‚ effectively giving Zuma more taxpayers money for lavish travel‚ luxury government accommodation‚ and to pay for staff‚ cars‚ and secretaries for his wives and family‚” Maimane asserted.
The budget would also fund the President’s never-ending legal bills‚ as he spent millions of rand in protracted court battles in order to keep himself in office and out of jail‚ the DA leader contended.
“But this works well for Jacob Zuma‚ because when Parliament does not work‚ the Constitution – the supreme law of the land – is undermined‚” he added.
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