Two years after denying liability for the splurging of millions in taxpayers’ money on his private KwaZulu-Natal homestead‚ Zuma announced last week that he had written to the Constitutional Court proposing to repay some of the money.
The ConCourt is today hearing arguments from the EFF and the Democratic Alliance in connection with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on the upgrades. In two separate cases which will be heard together‚ the EFF and the DA want the 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.
Malema‚ addressing a crowd chanting “Long live Julius Sello Malema” and “Run Zuma run”‚ ahead of a march from Mary Fitzgerald Square to the ConCourt‚ said he was there to ensure that Zuma pays back the money while the DA wants to take credit for taking Zuma to court.
Malema said all the party wanted was for the president to be accountable.
“We don’t have a problem with the man. We have a problem with people not complying with the constitution‚” said Malema.
Malema said he would brief his supporters on the Gupta family‚ who he last week attacked for their political influence.
“Guptas need to leave SA… There is nothing xenophobic about that‚” said Malema. His remarks came after the Gupta brothers filed an urgent court interdict against him and the EFF to restrain them from committing acts of violence against the company’s shareholders‚ staff and property.
“We have a right as politicians to criticise anyone and no one will take away that right‚” Malema told his supporters.
He said he wanted the EFF protest to be peaceful and asked his supporters to maintain discipline: “Fighters‚ we must make sure we don’t create unnecessary tension”.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress says it welcomes the application and as “we believe the questions it raises are critical for the promotion and upholding of our institutions supporting constitutional democracy as envisaged by the Constitution”.
“The ANC takes great pride in South Africa’s maturing democracy and has full confidence in our judicial system to provide answers to the vexing questions of our time. The Chapter 9 institutions play a vital role in supporting our constitutional democracy and all South Africans remain duty bound to respect and promote their Constitutional mandate as does the ANC,” read the press statement.
Cope and DA members also attended the march.
Additional reporting: Sydney Morweng -SLM News Editor.
