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- Top ANC leaders will communicate with former President Jacob Zuma on his cold shoulder with the Zondo Commission, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- The message will be clear: “Let us all comply with our Constitution, respect our institutions, especially the judiciary.”
- Ramaphosa also warned against unsubstantiated accusations directed at the judiciary.
The top ANC leaders will engage with former President Jacob Zuma, accused of corruption, and the message will be clear and direct: “Let us all comply with our Constitution, respect our institutions, in particular the judiciary,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa answered questions from the South African National Publishers Forum (SANEF) on Friday afternoon, with the first question being his predecessor’s defiance of the Constitutional Court and allegations that the judges received money from the CR17 campaign.
On Thursday, The Witness reported that a proposed meeting between the top six of the ANC and Zuma had been shelved as Zuma refuses to participate in the matter.
READ | ‘Ramaphosa is not welcome in Nkandla‘
Ramaphosa said there are “… quite a few commitments” with Zuma.
“And one of those is a commitment that he is going to have with the top leaders of the ANC, which should happen soon,” he said.
“He agrees, we all agree, that we are going to commit to him. He is a member and a disciplined member of the African National Congress, and we can have a commitment to him.”
“And the message will be quite simple and direct: let us all comply with our Constitution, respect our institutions, particularly the judiciary.”
Rule of law
Ramaphosa said the important thing for him is to insist that everyone respect the rule of law and the Constitution.
“So there is no going back on that.”
READ | Zuma duplicates decision to snub Zondo commission
In response to Zuma’s baseless accusations against the judiciary, which were also repeated by EFF leader Julius Malema, Ramaphosa said he made his position very clear in his newsletter this week.
He said that if there is any evidence against a judge, it must be presented to the relevant bodies, such as the Judicial Service Commission.
“Those who simply accuse the judges, demean our Constitution, our democracy and, indeed, our nation.
“Judges are not above the law, no one is above the law. All of us, as South Africans, from the president to any citizen of our country, must abide by the law, the Constitution. Because if we don’t, then there is anarchy in our country. “
Ramaphosa denied that Police Minister Bheki Cele’s recent visit to Zuma was problematic.
He said Cele felt compelled to have a “heart-to-heart” conversation with Zuma, with whom she had a long-standing relationship.
He said that all that was discussed was Zuma’s “situation” regarding his failure to appear before the Zondo Commission.
In his opening remarks, Ramaphosa said that the fight against corruption is gaining momentum.
“I’d say he’s unstoppable,” he said.
READ | MKMVA goes to Nkandla to defend Zuma
However, it is unwilling to take action at this time against Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, who was implicated in explosive testimony at the Zondo Commission, or against Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.
On Wednesday, the Daily Maverick reported that an obscure communications company, Digital Vibes, with former personal spokesperson and family friend of Mkhize Tahera Mather and her former private secretary Naadhira Mitha as paid consultants, allegedly obtained an irregular communications contract from the Department. of Health worth R82. million for jobs related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ramaphosa said the Zondo Commission, which will conclude its work soon, will produce a report with findings and recommendations, then “… there will be a follow-up.”
Types
“I prefer to leave that type of matter there. I have to be procedural.”
Ramaphosa said that Mkhize briefed him on the matter and that he is glad that Mkhize welcomes an investigation.
According to Ramaphosa, Mkhize said he was not involved in any crime and will cooperate with an investigation.
Ramaphosa said he delivered this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) under extraordinary circumstances.
“Instead of describing the full range of government programs for the year, we are looking to focus on a few top priorities.”
He said the first priority is defeating the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The vaccination program is one of the central pillars of this effort. Last week, we started phase one of the program with the vaccination of health workers. To date, we have administered more than 52,000 vaccines.
“South Africa has emerged from a second wave of infections and we must now do everything in our power to contain more waves. This is vitally important if we want to restore our economy to full operation,” he said.
He praised the South African scientific community and said he is comfortable that every time he needs to make a decision, it is backed by science.
Ramaphosa said to watch out for the upcoming Easter period, when people tend to congregate.
He also kept his letters close to his chest about the possibility of a cabinet shakeup.
