Publication: Sapa Issued: Parliament Date: 2005-11-16 Reporter: Sapa

DA Criticism of Speaker "Nonsensical": ANC

 

Publication 

Sapa
BC-ZUMA-SPEAKER-ANC

Date

2005-11-16

Issued

Parliament

Reporter

 Sapa

 

The African National Congress parliamentary caucus has added its voice to those "dismayed" at Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon's weekend aspersions on National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete's integrity.

On Sunday, Leon criticised Mbete's decision to attend the weekend Durban court appearance of former deputy president Jacob Zuma, along with other key ANC figures such as KwaZulu-Natal premier S'bu Ndebele and ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe.

"The Speaker's first duty is to Parliament and not to the factional interests of the ANC," Leon said in a statement.

On Tuesday, DA MP Sheila Camerer said in the National Assembly that Mbete and the others' attendance was completely inappropriate and conveyed the unfortunate message that they dissociated themselves from the president's praiseworthy action in firing Zuma when he was found by the courts to be involved in the Schabir Shaik corruption scandal.

Responding on Wednesday, the ANC caucus said in a statement that Zuma remained innocent until such time the courts decided otherwise.

"The corruption charges remain allegations and therefore to suggest that any association or expression of support for him is an endorsement of corruption is nonsensical *1."

In addition, South Africa's supreme law enshrined the right of any citizen to attend and observe court proceedings.

"To interpret such constitutional right as support for corruption or undermining the judicial independence is beyond extreme preposterousness *1."

Thirdly, Mbete remained a citizen of the Republic and continued to enjoy the constitutional rights of the land.

"The party's ranting about the Speaker's correct choice is outrageous *1 and borders on extreme grandstanding *1," the caucus said.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.


*1  The turkeys protesteth far too much.