Anti-Zuma sentiment outside Constitutional Court for #paybackthemoney case

The Constitutional Court was a hive of activity on Tuesday as members of the Democratic Alliance and Congress of the People chanted anti-Jacob Zuma songs outside the building.

While the Constitutional Court was hearing arguments from the Economic Freedom Fighters and the DA in connection with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s private home in Nkandla‚ members of Cope and the DA were singing and dancing outdoors in the presence of a large police contingent.

The EFF and the DA want the Constitutional Court to order Zuma to implement Madonsela’s directives‚ including paying back a portion of the costs for non-security upgrades. The National Assembly and the President are opposing the application.

All entrances to the court were cordoned off and only members of the media were allowed access into the court premises.

The Constitutional Court was filled to capacity 30 minutes before arguments were heard. Most members of the media and the public could not be accommodated inside the court and had to sit in the reception area and watch proceedings from a television.

Speaking to party members outside the court‚ DA councillor Shadrack Mkhonto said: “There are no jobs because of Jacob Zuma. Let’s make a noise for South African people”.

Cope’s national spokesman Dennis Bloem said the party was at court to “defend the constitution of the country”.

“The Public Protector’s office has been in danger over time. We are here to say that the president has violated the constitution in every turn‚” Bloem said.

Only a few EFF members were present outside the court‚ as party supporters gathered downtown for a planned march on the court building.