COPE CALLS ON SOUTH AFRICANS TO VOICE THEIR DISGUST IN A UNITED FRONT
The Congress of the People wishes to register its disappointment at the decision of the NPA to drop the corruption, fraud and racketeering charges against the president of the ANC. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the manner in which this matter was handled.
The NPA's decision to drop the charges against Jacob Zuma does not safeguard justice, due process or equality before the law. Instead, it guarantees that the president of the African National Congress, and the party's presidential candidate, will forever be branded a criminal suspect in the eyes of much of the nation and the world. This decision is a blow to our democracy that will be felt for years to come. The NPA in this act, has undermined the Constitution and impoverished our judicial system thus exposing the people of South Africa to future miscarriages of justice.
What we have heard should finally put to rest any notion that the former party of liberation has anything to offer for the future. Power, corruption and greed have become the programme of the African National Congress.
These are perilous moments for South Africa's democracy. The rot in the ANC runs deep, and in a matter of weeks, it will be reinforced in the apparatus of the state. Already, government's intelligence and police agencies have become embroiled in party political battles.
The threat of such undemocratic and unconstitutional practices, should be apparent.
On the other hand the NPA's decision to drop the charges against Zuma is to accept the lowering of democratic values and standards and will pave a way toward lawlessness and chaos, all instigated by the ruling party.
The only way forward is for the people of South Africa to use, for now, the only weapon in their hands. They need to vote against the abuse of power, the lowering of democratic standards, and the political bankruptcy of the ANC leadership.
COPE calls for united action by all South Africans. We urge all eminent persons and defenders of our freedom and constitution to take lead and rally all people of South Africa in a public protest against the ANC attack on our constitutional structures. South Africans must demand the following:
- Mr. Zuma must clear himself in an open court
- Abuse of state powers by intelligence operatives must be investigated
- The alleged "conspirators" must be charged
Cope call upon all political parties, civil society and faith organisations to unite and show leadership in defence of our constitution and our democracy. South Africa deserves better. The dream of 1994 is dying, killed by the ANC and its Alliance partners - South Africa is in great peril. All patriots must defend it.
Statement issued by the Congress of the People, April 6 2009
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