Zuma rejects debate with Zille

Published Oct 16, 2012

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JOHANNESBURG: President Jacob Zuma had turned down a request by DA leader Helen Zille to publicly debate with her on the state of the economy.

“The Presidency sees no need to engage in any exercise that diverts attention from getting stakeholders to work together,” presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

The Presidency was responding to media enquiries on the debate as Zuma had not formally received the DA leader’s request by yesterday afternoon.

“We wish to point out that President Zuma is currently working with key stakeholders on the state of the economy, under the auspices of the Presidency high-level dialogue on the economy,” he said.

As part of the dialogue, meetings would be held between unions and businesses on solving SA’s economic problems. The next meeting would be held tomorrow.

“The president is optimistic that this meeting will find solutions in the same way that a similar meeting assisted the country to cushion the economy and minimise job losses during the 2009 recession,” Maharaj said.

Earlier yesterday, Zille said she would write to Zuma to call for a debate. “All South Africans are presently deeply concerned about the state of our country, and particularly our economy,” she said.

Zille said Zuma had not proved himself worthy of leading SA in the wake of escalating labour protests and the downgrading of the country’s credit rating. – Sapa

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