Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it was consulting other political parties to give weight to the motion to impeach President Jacob Zuma and remove him from office, following a damning Constitutional Court judgment on the Nkandla debacle.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane said it was clear all parties agreed that the country “faced a crisis” that was beyond party politics.
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“I have consulted with the EFF this morning. We want to call all political party leaders to meet and decide on the way forward. The crucial question is whether Zuma should be removed or not…and we state this without fail, that Zuma failed to protect and uphold the Constitution, we cannot have someone like him in Parliament who does not respect the Constitution,” Maimane told reporters in Johannesburg.
Maimane said National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete was complacent in the execution of her duties and failed the people of South Africa along with Zuma. Mbete, he said, misled Parliament while protecting Zuma.
DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen said Mbete was derelict in her duties and called on her to step down.
“We call on her to step aside and resign, failing which we will table a motion of no confidence in her. Mbete and fellow presiding officers cannot just walk away from this judgment. Parliament has failed South Africans,” said Steenhuisen.
“Mbete is now locked away in an ANC top six meeting…not to protect Parliament, but to protect Zuma.”
Maimane said ANC MPs had a choice of whether to protect the constitution or opt for Zuma regarding the move to impeach Zuma. He said it was also up to South Africans to not vote ANC as the ruling party had turned its back on them.
“If you want Jacob Zuma, you cannot have the Constitution, if you want the constitution you cannot have Zuma. The sole task of the MPs is to uphold the constitution.”
The highest court in the land ruled that the findings of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela were binding, and ordered Zuma to reimburse the state for the non-security upgrades at his private Nkandla home. The court directed the National Treasury to determine a portion of the amount to be paid by Zuma, and report to the court within 60 days. Zuma would personally have to pay the determined amount 45 days thereafter.
The landmark judgment saw opposition parties calling on Zuma to resign, with the DA and the EFF moving to impeach Zuma in Parliament.
African News Agency