Keeping It Real: Drama As MPs Debate Zuma Impeachment; Female Minister Falls Asleep In Parliament (Youtube-Clip)

“In South Africa, Members of Parliament debate impeaching President Jacob Zuma as a female MP falls asleep” (Adeola Fayehun, 2016).

ANC structures joint statement on Zuma-Nkandla matter (Youtube-Clip)

 

My letter to President Zuma after the Con Court judgement and the outcome of the Motion of Impeachment in the RSA Parliament recently

Oslo, 13^th April 2016.

Dear His Excellency President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma!

I hope you are okay, not really though, but the human parts of me does. As I know you eaten for long while and is far from starving. I am not somebody you or your loyal cronies in the African National Congress listen to, as I am the man you had hired to wash your Amphitheatre or clean away the grass there or painting part some of the walls that need a fresh paint at Nkandla village. I am sure you would hire me to clean your fire-pool. So I understand if you will not listen to my reason, but I hope somebody does.

I know that you have gotten rid of the people who also wanted access to power, as you have done with Julius Malema as he was young and vibrant, while you we’re busy getting married and getting new children with the new wives. That is why you have a village in Nkandla. You have so many house and private clinic there for your service. You even swallowed Thabo Mbeki the intellectual, who muffled his career and said yes to let the finally ANC eat, and eat heavy. As you have done for a while now, maybe time to let go of the plate? The gig is up?

President Zuma you we’re able to get rid of Mbeki and make is legacy be mixed up in a bad-deal and PR for supervision of Zimbabwe and their Government of National Unity (GNU) where President Mugabe (ZANU-PF) still where the Executive, why the winner of the election became his deputy Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC-T). That helped to tarnish the powers of Mbeki and make you rise as the deputy of Mbeki to block his place as the executive of South Africa. The way you did it was to sell the “the Arms-Deal” to Mbeki, and let him swallow the scandal.

You have always used reason to get away from scandals, corruption cases and maladministration of government funds and procedures. You have always stead steady with the allegation and able to deflect it. The share amount of cases and the times you’re named in curious cases is staggering for an Executive of a Nation. If you we’re a famer I would expect you to act respectfully to your animals and use your dirt to produce quality food. But you happen to be the Executive, the President and His Excellency! With those titles comes the certainties of honourable acts that are expect, not only by your constituency, but also by the rules and laws of Parliament, as well as the famous guideline of the nation, a constitution.

As you know the Constitution set precedence for you role and position Honourable Jacob G. Zuma. You have certain abilities and opportunity with that position, but at the same time; which is hard for you to see the extent of that power.

The Nkandla is a promising corrupt case and all, but you have not honoured the power you have had; Honourable Zuma you should have emulated late President Félix Houphouët-Boigny of Cote d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast in 1983, the honourable Houphouët-Boigny moved the Capital of the Country to his village Yamoussoukro from the well-known town of Abidjan and build a majestic town out it. By two years even LA Times said there was more traffic-lights then people in Yamoussoukro. You might have built a village in Kwa-Zulu Natal for yourself, but in the prospect of other rulers of recent times. So when you first were corrupted you could have staged something more out of it.

You have already displaced arrogance towards the rest of the Parliament or the National Assembly. As you have over a few years deflected this case, as you also does not discuss the matter of how you got rid of Mbeki. Even if you proclaimed near the end of his last tenure that you we’re his man. Something you we’re not.

Other than Nkandla, you have spoils with the Gupta Family and their involvement into politics. As there been said and asked for covering if the Gupta family and their Oakbay Resources and Energy; especially when we can consider the sudden axing of Nene Nhanhla as Finance Minister, while David Van Rooyen had the position for three days or so, before a third Minister Pravin Gordhan was the excellent choice. All happen under two-weeks in December 2015, and made the already fragile markets react and also suspect business from the government and executive into lights.

As the questions for a Private Jet for the Executive for 4bn Rand in November 2015, that Minister Nhanhla would not accept. Some says that the reason for his axing, what do you say Honourable Zuma? Or was the Gupta’s behind it all?

There should also be worrying for a President, at this day and age: to have over 500,000 searches on google for you if you type “Zuma Corruption”. That is worrying isn’t it honourable Zuma?

Though I am sure you will deflect it all, it is a western paradigm and that you should not be in court as you deserve the same honour as Richard Nixon in his time. Well, Nixon didn’t build a village for himself with tax-money, didn’t have shady business connections with Gupta investors, Swaziland connections and so on. You have treated the Executive Position to earn money and eat for yourself.

Your legacy will not be how you established ANC as more as liberation movement, but a fully-fledged political party. Instead like so many liberation movements, you have started to eat and forgotten why they fought against the oppression. So as you can now payback the monies used for “Security Upgrades” of Nkandla homestead. While you might gotten enough votes in the National Assembly as the ANC members of Parliament is loyal to you and not the Constitution apparently. But I am the guy who you hire to paint your walls at Nkandla, so I don’t expect you ever to listen or read my words. I am a pundit and nobody. As I presume my existence in the shadow, let it be certain, if you even survive your career as the Executive while sophisticated stealing of government funds. You still will not leave a legacy and the name Zuma will not be standing in for-front of well-renowned character those parents wants to teach their kids to emulate.

Why I say this is because the amount of scandals, the way you brought yourself to power through the ANC and the way you have used the government organizations to access wealth. Creating networks for your own gain and not the general public as you’re supposed to as an Executive. Also by facilitate and use all courts and time of the state in your name.

I got to recommendations to you, though I know you only listen to Court judgements or verdicts, as this is merely a suggestion to what you could do now. And with that in mind, I know you won’t listen to any of the advice. As they are suggestions and not something you should follow as the constitution, but hey; parts of that you don’t follow either. Let’s skip that and give you the advice. 

Here are my two recommendations to you:

First: You should have followed the EFF and DA motion and stepped down, resigned and leave with valour of honour, as possible to give space to your party to sort itself out after the debacle with the Nkandla and Gupta connection you have. As the Con-Court set standards for you and that you did not listen to Public Protectorate considering the case.

Second: Following President Houphouët-Boigny of Ivory Coast, continue to build Nkandla into a magnificent city with more streetlights then people in Nkandla, Kwa-Zulu Natal. So if you’re really corrupted Honourable then ever President Zuma you should make the home and town more extravagant. Extravagant for Nkandla in the sense send in a motion to the National Assembly to move the Capital from Pretoria to Nkandla; as a gift to the proud folks of Kwa-Zulu Natal. So you can prove the value of the constituency you reside. Be a truly African President that South Africa ever has had.  So quit that meagre estimated building of Nkandla Village Project and secure that instead becomes Nkandla Metropolitan City Project. So the ANC big project before next election will be to make Nkandla a City and trading centre, not just a hangout place for the wives, kids and grand-children of the Executive.

Honourable President Zuma, as I expect you not to ever read it or the loyal cronies in the inner circle of the ANC. But it should be put into consideration as the expected ANC Stalwarts and ANC Veterans who has spoken against the presidency and the Executive asked politely to step down. So I am sure the ANC Party and ANC Organization listen more to them then to me. An you should listen to them, because their vocal about their grievances together with Civil Society Organizations, Churches and Opposition Parties feels about the codes of conduct and justice of your part in the National Assembly and continuing to be their Executive. Peace.

Best Regards

The Writer of the blog MinBane.

A look into President Zuma’s two major scandals: The Nkandla village Project and the triple Finance Minister Mystery of December 2015!

“My residence in Nkandla has been paid for by the Zuma family. All the buildings and every room we use in that residence, was built by ourselves as family and not by government,” – President Zuma in the National Assembly in 2012 (De Wet, 2012).

His Exellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, the current President of South Africa is under a hard storm and heavy rain. There been a long time waiting for the whole sky falling on his bear head, but that has not occurred.

First the basic parts of the Nkandla scandal and then the Finance Minister saga, as they are both important to the lost trust between the Parliament, big parts of the people and the President. There is many reasons for that, how he has used government funds to build a village in KwaZulu-Natal while being President and how the connection to rich business-men have tarnished the reputation as the hand-out seem to be given for more economic offers from the rich family of the Gupta’s. And that is worrying. Take a look!

The Nkandla homestead has made the Presidency to an issue. When the Department of Works in a report on the 2013 stated this:

“The appointed service providers have probably overcharged the State by inflating prices for the goods or services they rendered” (Department Public Works, P: 14, 2013). The DPW has undertaken an intern investigation and employees if they did any misconduct. The Security upgrades is set to be R 71,212,612.77 is at the time of the investigation by the Task Team. There have been no public funds in use for building and upgrading the presidential residence. The 5-ha state land have cost R 135,208,022.51 in departmental operation needs (SAPS and DOD personnel) (Department Public Works, P: 14, 2013). The Prestige project A for upgraded of the Presidential housing in KwaZulu-Natal according to the information from the DPW going to cost R 206,420,644.28 at the time in 28th December 2012, Jeremy Cronin Deputy Minister of the Public Works: “At the very least we need to make sure, without revealing the details, nature of security ……, we need to make sure as far as the tenders issued by Public Works, those were done clearly, there were no inexplicable overruns on costs” (Department Public Works, P: 17, 2013). That is just saying that there for three years ago! There is more!

The Public Proctor Said this in March 2014:

“There was no legal authority for the expenditure that was allegedly incurred by the state in respect of upgrades made at the President’s private residence in the name of security. Even if there was authority, the upgrades were excessive or “opulent” and transcended such authority” (Public Protector, P: 8, 2014).

The Same report also states this:

“President Zuma improperly benefited from the measures implemented in the name of security which include none security comforts the Visitors’ Centre, such as the swimming pool, amphitheatre, and the cattle kraal with culvert and chicken run. The private medical clinic at the family’s doorstep will also benefit the family forever. The acts and omissions that allowed this to happen constitute unlawful and improper conduct and maladministration” (…)”The conduct of the DPW leading to the failure to resolve the issue of items earmarked for the owner’s cost transparently, including the failure to report back on the swimming pool question after the 11 May 2011 meeting and the disappearance of the letter proposing an apportionment of costs, constitutes improper conduct and maladministration” (Public Protector, P: 57-58, 2014).

Do you wonder how the President Zuma could afford his own swimming pool and amphitheater?

“Funds were reallocated from the Inner City Regeneration and the Dolomite Risk Management Programmes of the DPW. Due to a lack of proper demand management and planning service delivery programmes of the DPW were negatively affected. This was in violation of section 237 of the Constitution and the Batho Pele White Paper and accordingly constitutes improper conduct and maladministration” (Public Protector, P: 62, 2014).

His Conduct of the Nkandla Affair:

“While his conduct could accordingly be legitimately construed as misleading Parliament, it appears to have been a bona fide mistake and I am accordingly unable to find that his conduct was in violation of paragraph 2 of the Executive Ethics Code. His statement is also consistent with those made by the Ministers of Public Works throughout the public outcry over the Nkandla expenditure. I am accordingly unable to find that his conduct was in violation of paragraph 2 of the Executive Ethics Code” (Public Protector, P: 64, 2014).

Here is what the Constitutional Court main parts of the verdict on Nkandla:

“The Court thus held that the National Assembly’s resolution, based on the Minister’s findings exonerating the President from liability, was inconsistent with the Constitution and unlawful. The Court also held that, by failing to comply with the Public Protector’s order, the President failed to “uphold, defend and respect” the Constitution because a duty to repay the money was specifically imposed on him through the Public Protector’s constitutional power” (…)”The Court ordered the National Treasury to determine the reasonable portion that the President must pay for the five non-security items listed above and report back to the Court within 60 days. The Court ordered the President to make payment 45 days thereafter. The President was also ordered to reprimand the Ministers involved in the expenditure at Nkandla. Finally, the Court declared that the remedial action taken by the Public Protector is binding. The President, Minister, and Speaker were ordered to pay the applicants’ costs, including those of two counsel” (News24, 2016).

Now that we have taken the major one and eaten the swollen corrupted minded on his homestead of KwaZulu-Natal and chopped up some beef. Stir-frying it and mixing it in a pot and then serving it, while it is still juicy. The certainty of the malpractice and reassure that a swimming-pool, a hen-house, a medical clinic, a amphitheater and other building projects still not considered safety features. That is good thing, if not I would get my house in order and get the same for my own concern with thieves in the neighborhood.

Well, now that I have watered that down and ready for some more rain. Let us get the story of how the Finance Minister all of sudden was not “good” enough for his post. It will be interesting.

This been said about Nene Nklanhla: “Mr. Nene has been since 2009 among respected people on the international scene that succeeded to another known and appreciated personality, Trevor Manuel (1996-2008), the second Minister of Finance of Nelson Mandela” (…)”His appointment could constitute a test for the “rand“, the South African currency, under pressure for months” (…)”He has inherited from a difficult situation with a decreasing growth revised at 2,1 % this year, far below 7 % required to reduce the chronic unemployment in a country the working population of which quickly increases” (La Redaction, 2015).

What he discussed in October 2015:

“Financial market volatility is high and capital inflows into emerging markets have slowed. This has raised borrowing rates for emerging markets globally” (…)”Honourable Members, bold action is needed. Restoring the momentum of growth requires policy certainty, confidence and trust, shared between government, business, workers and households” (…)”The absence of state capacity, that is, of the services and protections that people in rich countries take for granted, is one of the major causes of poverty and inequality around the world. Without effective states working with active and involved citizens, there is little chance for the growth that is needed to abolish global poverty” (Nhlanhla, 2015).

President’s Zuma Reason for sacking his minister and appointing another one:

“Mr Nene has done well since his appointment as Minister of Finance during a difficult economic climate” (…)”I have decided to appoint a Member of Parliament, Mr David Van Rooyen, as the new Minister of Finance. Mr Van Rooyen serves as a Whip of the Standing Committee on Finance and as Whip of the Economic Transformation Cluster” (Zuma, 2015).

Reaction to the Sacking:

“There seems to be no doubt that the President fired Nene because he would not allow Zuma and some of his cadres to spend money recklessly, for personal gain, and in so doing risk the integrity of the Treasury. Nene insisted on tight fiscal discipline in the face of a growing deficit and a worrying economic forecast” (…)”Nene did not bow to political pressure. He would not sanction the revision of a deal to buy new aircraft for South African Airways. The airline’s board chairperson, Dudu Myeni (who is also chair of the Jacob Zuma Foundation), was unhappy and appears to have used her personal relationship with the President to influence this decision” (…)”Nene was also cautious not to back a R1 trillion nuclear building deal, which Zuma was personally invested in” (IFAISA, 2015). EFF statement said this: “Zuma has appointed him because he knows that Van Rooyen will not stand up to him when he wants to do wrong things. Van Rooyen will be so eternally grateful, absolutely starstruck that anything Zuma asks for will go. Van Rooyen will be prepared to even approve further upgrades to Zuma’s Nkandla home by putting a private zoo that has exotic animals like domesticated tigers” (…)“The EFF has it on record that Nene has been moved because he refused illegal instructions from Zuma and his friends in both business and state owned enterprises. Nene refused to give South African Airways (SAA) guarantees and bailout when Zuma’s girlfriend and chairperson of the board requested it. Nene also refused to buy Zuma a new luxurious private jet and declined to grant Zuma’s staff exemptions from using expensive hotels and flying first class” (Mbuyiseni, 2015).

So to give a little timeline, Finance Minister Nene Nhanhla was fired on the 9^th December 2015 and then on the same day Daniel Van Rooyen was hired on the 9^th December 2015. With a backlash from NGOs and other parties on the unknown and nobody hired to be Finance Minister in South Africa. Hon. Van Rooyen a grand minister instead of former Finance Minister Nhanhla.
Zuma Adressed the Matter in statement on 12^th December:

“Rumour: Mr Nene was redeployed because of the Airbus deal and Ms Myeni’s displeasure. Media reports that Mr Nhlanhla Nene is being redeployed because the SAA Board chairperson was unhappy with the National Treasury directives to SAA with regards to the Airbus deal or any other matter is a malicious fabrication. Mr Nene as has been explained, is South Africa’s candidate to head up the African Regional Centre of the New Development Bank/BRICS Bank” (Zuma, 2015).

Reaction to David Van Rooyen:

“There are many stakeholders, including the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), who are ready to engage with the Minister so that as a collective we can address these challenges given the short time left between now and the next National Budget announcement in February 2016” (…)”We would like to remind the Minister that because of our hugely disproportionate tax base – with only a fraction of citizens at the high earnings threshold – aggressively increasing taxes would be the equivalent of killing the goose that lays the golden egg” (…)”We acknowledge that the Minister wants to address equality by means of taxation but would caution that it is not taxation alone that will drive these imperatives – in the budget, we must spend within our means” (Ngawenya, 2015).

“The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) says it is concerned by this week’s change in the post of minister of finance, as new minister David van Rooyen was sworn into the post yesterday” (…)“It is the JSE’s view that predictable and consistent leadership is needed if we are to address the recent downgrade of the country’s credit rating to near junk status, the patent economic slowdown, unsustainably high unemployment and rising inflation,” the stock exchange says in a statement” (…)“The JSE has worked closely with previous Finance Ministers and we will continue to work with the new Minister and the National Treasury to help South Africa realise the ambitions contained in the National Development Plan.  We look forward to hearing the Minister’s plans in this regard.” (…)”In a brief address at his swearing in ceremony, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria yesterday, Van Rooyen said he would engage with National Treasury adding that it is important to “simplify issues of public finance to the public”. He also says he aims to “deal with myths around the ministry” and acknowledged that he is taking office at a time when emerging markets are facing difficult times” (Gilbert, 2015).

With the non-backing of Finance Minister of David Van Rooyen, President Zuma could not look at that and make more fuzz; he had to try to do something wise and get somebody who was more trusted then the controversial former Mayor. So after 4 days in office and getting his tag on the door of the Finance Ministry; David Van Rooyen was fired for being him and getting a too big office for his caliber and also taken away trustfulness of the South African economy. Therefore there came a third minister in to the same Post because President Zuma loves to reshuffle his cabinet.

Zuma appoints his third Finance Minister under a week:

“On the 9th of December 2015, I announced the appointment of a new Minister of Finance, Mr David van Rooyen” (…)”I have appointed Mr Pravin Gordhan, the current Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as the new Minister of Finance” (…)”Minister Gordhan will return to a portfolio that he had held proficiently during the fourth administration” (…)”I have also decided to appoint the current Minister of Finance, Mr David van Rooyen, as the new Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs” (Zuma, 2015).

So when all of this was over, there been a aftermath of speculation and also of foundling from outside sources that have altered the judgement of President Zuma to let go of Nene Nhanhla from his position in the cabinet and usher somebody else in, while having the freedom to make deals without thinking about economic deficit or the inflation rate of the country, as the former Finance Minister would conclude with.

Trevor Manuel stated this in late December 2015:

“It cannot be correct that there is an outside hand (and not the ruling party) that knows more than Cabinet does about unfolding events” (…)”clear from comments by Cabinet colleagues in the wake of Mr Nene’s dismissal was that when cabinet adjourned at about 6pm on Wednesday, December 9, neither he nor Cabinet had any inkling of what was to follow that evening” (…)”The breach of trust was not the first, but perhaps the last, straw that broke the camel’s back in the careless handling of a pivotal portfolio” (…)”Luthuli House needs to hear loud and clear that this man has to be held to account and we need people, men and women of good standing and stature, to do that job” (News24.com, 2015).

Another handpicked Finance Minister it seems Mr. Jones Mcebisi:

“Members of the Gupta family offered me the position of Minister of Finance to replace then-Minister Nene,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.“I rejected this out of hand. The basis of my rejection of their offer is that it makes a mockery of our hard earned democracy, the trust of our people and no one apart from the President of the Republic appoints ministers.” (Claymore, 2016).

SMS Threat after the Revelation:

“Please keep your own counsel. Martyrdom is best left to Christ”. This is the SMS Jonas reportedly received from a prominent businessman as he was drafting the statement that has rocked the nation” (Skade, 2016).

There been trying to Impeach President Zuma, here is motion from the letter from the Democratic Alliance asking for the motion of Impeachment of the Executive, which happens to be Jacob Zuma, ANC leader and the President of Republic of South Africa; here it is:

How the voting went in the National Assembly:

“The motion, brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and fiercely backed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and most small opposition parties, drew 143 votes in favour and 233 against” (ANA, 2016).

So the Impeachment from the Democratic Alliance went bad and the ANC voting for themselves and their leader. That failed sadly enough. So the situation is stagnating in one way as the National Assembly through the Power of ANC have kept him safe, legally, but with the ANC Veterans and Stalwarts speaking-up for him to resign. That happens together with ANC Branches distancing themselves from the Executive might help the cause to stop the man with no ethical or scruples coming to governmental funds to personal use. The man who can buy swimming-pool and amphitheater can easily use the funds to fund his family into businesses and use the governmental ties to gain economical gains in the country. Therefore he has close relationship to the businessmen of the Gupta Family and their businesses as their money is a great way of creating business for the grander Zuma Family. They can together make good money without too much work for themselves, but let the working-class pay for their wealth. So the aftermath of this is not over.

ANC have to sides now, the ones for Zuma, the other one for his resignation. As the ones stand for loyalty to the Executive and the new Elite of the South Africa, while the ones standing for his resignation is for ethical, accountable and good governance for the South African Government that is built on the principal regime of the Constitution that President Zuma could less care about; he is more busy spending time with his family at the fire-pool while using the air-condition system bought by the RSA tax-money. Peace. 

Reference:

ANA – ‘Zuma impeachment motion fails’ (05.04.2016) link: http://www.enca.com/south-africa/zuma-stays-opposition-loses-impeachment-vote

Claymore, Ezra – ‘BREAKING: Mcebisi Jonas admits Guptas offered him Nhlanhla Nene’s job’ (16.03.2016) link: http://www.thesouthafrican.com/breaking-mcebisi-jonas-admits-guptas-offered-him-nhlanhla-nenes-job/

Department Public Works – Task Team Investigation Report on Security Measures at Nkandla (19.12.2013), Republic of South Africa

De Wet, Phillip – ‘Zuma defends his Nkandla ‘family home’ in Parliament’ (12.11.2012) link: http://mg.co.za/article/2012-11-15-zuma-defends-his-nkandla-family-home

Gilbert, Paula – ‘JSE concerned about finance minister’s dismissal’ (11.12.2015) link: http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=148543

La Redaction – ‘Nhlanhla Nene: the very first «Black» South African Minister of Finance’ (27.05.2015) link: http://www.africatopsuccess.com/en/2014/05/27/nhlanhla-nene-the-very-first-black-south-african-minister-of-finance/

Mbuyiseni, Quintin Ndozi – ‘Nhlanhla Nene axed for saying no to illegal instructions – EFF’ (09.12.2015) link: http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/nhlanhla-nene-axed-for-saying-no-to-illegal-instru

Nhlanhla, Nene – ‘Medium Term Budget Policy Statement 2015 – Nhlanhla Nene’ (21.10.2015) link: http://www.politicsweb.co.za/documents/medium-term-budget-policy-statement-2015–nhlanhla

Ngwenya, Faith – ‘AN OPEN LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE, DAVID VAN ROOYEN’ (11.12.2015) link: http://www.saipa.co.za/pressreleases/416648/open-letter-honourable-minister-finance-david-van-rooyen

News24 – ‘FULL JUDGMENT: Constitutional Court rules on Nkandla’ (31.03.2016) link: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/full-text-constitutional-court-rules-on-nkandla-public-protector-20160331

News24 – ‘Manuel hints at ‘outside hand’ in Nene dismissal’ (20.12.2015) link: http://www.sabreakingnews.co.za/2015/12/20/manuel-hints-at-outside-hand-in-nene-dismissal/

Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa (IFAISA) – ‘STATEMENT ON THE REMOVAL OF NHLANHLA NENE AS SOUTH AFRICA’S MINISTER OF FINANCE’ (10.12.2015) link: http://accountabilitynow.org.za/statement-on-the-removal-of-nhlanha-nene-as-south-africas-minister-of-finance/

Skade, Thandi – ‘Jonas received SMS threat ahead of Gupta revelation: report’ (17.03.2016) link: http://www.destinyconnect.com/2016/03/17/jonas-received-sms-threat-ahead-of-gupta-revelation-report/

The Public Protector – ‘Secure in Comfort’ Report no. 25 of 2013/14 (March 2014)

Zuma, Jacob – ‘Statement by President Jacob Zuma on the appointment of new Finance Minister’ (09.12.2015) link: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=21217

Zuma, Jacob – ‘Presidency corrects malicious rumours about SAA, National Treasury and Ministerial deployments’ (12.12.2015) link: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=21227

Zuma, Jacob – ‘Announcement of new Ministers of Finance and COGTA’ (13.12.2015) link: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=21231

Nkandlagate: the movie (Youtube-Clip)

“The saga of pres Jacob Zuma’s private home at Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and his subsequent court case in the Constitutional Court where he was found to have “failed to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the land…” (HC Vijoen, 2016).

President Zuma’s son speaks out (Youtube-Clip)

“JOHANNESBURG, 6 April 2016 – Edward Zuma says there’s a conspiracy to remove the president and takes aim at ANC veterans, Trevor Manuel and Ahmed Kathrada, describing them as puppets of white monopoly capital” (eNCA, 2016).

Voting to Impeach Zuma Ends In Chaos. Opposition Parties Walks Out Of Parliament (Youtube-Clip)

“Opposition parties walks out of Parliament as the ANC decided to still back Jacob Zuma as President” (My Africa, 2016).

Press Statement: DA calls on Public Protector to investigate Zuma over Guptagate scandal (18.03.2016)

The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, to launch an investigation into the alleged abuse of executive power by President Zuma, relating to the manner in which at least one ANC member was offered a cabinet position in exchange for committing to make Gupta-friendly executive decisions.

This follows revelations earlier this week by the former chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, Vytjie Mentor, who revealed that she was offered the job of Minister of Public Enterprises by the Guptas on one condition: she “drops the SAA flight-route to India and give to them”. Mentor further alleges that President Zuma was on the Guptas Saxonwold premises at the time, in a room next door.

This voluntary disclosure by Mentor is part of an ever-growing list of ANC members who have publically admitted that they have been approached by the Guptas, including Deputy Finance Minister, Mcebisi Jonas, Public Service and Administration Minister, Ngoako Ramathlodi and former Public Enterprises Minister, Barbara Hogan.

These revelations directly implicate President Zuma, and after laying criminal charges against Atul and Ajay Gupta yesterday, it is our view that the Public Protector is most appropriately suited to deal with the matter at hand in relation to President Zuma.

The DA contends that the Public Protector should investigate whether President Zuma violated Paragraph 2(b) of the Executive Ethics Act by:

(iii) Exposing himself to any situation involving the risk of a conflict between his official responsibilities and his private interests;

(iv) Using his position or any information entrusted to him, to enrich himself or improperly benefit any other person; and

(v) Acting in a way that may compromise the credibility or integrity of his office or of the government

We trust that the Public Protector will take swift action and begin an investigation as soon as possible. Individual members of my caucus will also, where applicable, be lodging complaints with the Public Protector in respect of individual ministers who are in possible violation of the Executive Ethics Act.

In addition to this, I will be asking parliamentary questions to all cabinet ministers, to ascertain whether they or their the Deputy Minister(s) have ever met with any member of the Gupta family or attended any meetings at the Saxonwold Estate in Johannesburg since taking office; and if they have, what the details of each meeting was.

I have also already moved a substantive motion in the National Assembly (NA) requesting that the House establish an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the close ties between the Gupta family and President Zuma, including their alleged involvement in the capture of State resources and their undue influence over the Executive. I will move to have this motion debated in Parliament’s sitting on 17 May 2016, and for the National Assembly to vote on this matter in that very sitting.

South Africa cannot afford to have the Gupta family using the South African government to further their own business interests. It cannot be that President Zuma’s close ties to one family are overlooked when these ties result in undue influence over government business. 8.2 million jobless South Africans deserve better.

Press Statement: Another Zuma “question and lie” session in Parliament (17.03.2016)

Today President Jacob Zuma once again treated Parliament as his very own lapdog, by avoiding accountability on the question of whether the Gupta family and others played a role, directly or indirectly, in the decision to fire former Finance Minister, Nhlanhla Nene, which sent the country’s economy into a tailspin.

My specific question to the President was whether he consulted any person before the appointment of Mr David van Rooyen as Minister of Finance on 9 December 2015, and removal of Mr van Rooyen as Minister of Finance three days later.

The President completely avoided answering the question of whether he in fact did consult anyone, and instead quoted sections of the Constitution which empower the head of executive to appoint and dismiss cabinet ministers.

In addition to this, the President then astonishingly implied that his decision to fire former Minister Nene had a negligible impact on our economy and the tanking of our currency, as the rand was “already in decline”.

This blatant untruth is a slap in the face of the 8.2 million jobless South Africans whose hope of finding a job is continuously undermined by decisions such as this one made President Zuma and his government.

When I pressed the President on this point, I was asked by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete, to leave the House. This is yet another chapter in the story of the how the ANC in Parliament protects Jacob Zuma at any cost.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will not relent in seeking answers to this ever-mounting Gupta saga.

I have already moved a substantive motion in the National Assembly (NA) requesting that the House establish an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the close ties between the Gupta family and President Zuma, including their alleged involvement in the capture of State resources and their undue influence over the Executive.

Parliament must play its rightful role in holding executive power to account.

The Motion that Mmusi Maimane put forward yesterday:

A clip from the Assembly or Parliament today:

Peace!

“Budget 2016: Not bold enough to definitively avert a downgrade” – Bokamoso by Mmusi Maimane

“DA leader Mmusi Maimane discusses the 2016 budget speech, and the implications for our economy with a possible ratings downgrade looming” (Democratic Alliance, 2016).