The African National Congress says an extended national working committee meeting on Monday will mark the beginning of a process which will decide the fate of President Jacob Zuma.
The governing party has moved to defend its president, saying it appreciates his apology for violating the Constitution in the so-called Nkandla saga. CCTV’s Yolisa Njamela filed this report
Addressing the nation on television on Friday night, President Jacob Zuma insisted he had not deliberately failed to uphold the constitution and attributed his action to a different approach and different legal advice.
”I never set out knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the constitution which is the supreme law of the Republic. The finding by the court that my failure to comply with the remedial action taken against me by the Public Protector is inconsistent with the constitution and therefore invalid, flows from the fact that I initially followed a different approach. While correct in law at the time – the approach was subsequently demonstrated to be contrary to the constitution.” Zuma said
Zuma then apologised urging all affected parties to abide by the judgement and implement it. The ruling party, the ANC, moved swiftly to rally behind its president.
The constitutional court judgement has opened a debate about the possibility of impeachment of the president and the opposition party has been riding that wave. But the ANC says the opposition parties are overreacting
In a few months, the country will be holding local government elections and observers believe that this episode won’t necessarily adversely affect the ruling party at the polls.
CCTV’s Yolisa Njamela filed this report
