City Council calls on President Zuma to resign

Today, 28 April 2016, the City of Cape Town Council voted in favour of a motion which defends our Constitution.

Section 2 of our Constitution reads:

‘This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic; law or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid, and the obligations imposed by it must be fulfilled’.

While it is the duty of each and every South African to defend the Constitution and for each of us to work together to build on the sacrifices made before us, this responsibility is heightened for those who have the honour of working as public servants.

According to the Constitution in Section 83, the President ‘must uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic’. On 31 March 2016, the Constitutional Court ruled that President Jacob Zuma failed in that very important duty.

He remains completely unmoved by calls for him to act honorably and take responsibility for his actions.

We believe that Cape Town is an integral part of the success of our South African democracy. We work tirelessly to embody evidence of our democracy and our Constitution at work. Therefore we feel that it is our duty to protect our democracy and protect our Constitution for the future of our city and our country. 

As the City of Cape Town Council, we believe that we would not be worthy of the positions that we hold nor of the trust and aspirations of those we serve, if we do not take a stand for what is just. We do not regard neither ourselves nor any other person as being above the rule of law and free to act with impunity, and President Zuma is no exception.

Today, the majority of the City of Cape Town Council voted in favour of a motion which:

1. Condemns the failure of the President to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution

2. Resolves to defend and protect our Constitution as the supreme law of our Republic

3. Calls on the President to resign from office

The ANC chose to abstain from the motion.

Today, the majority of the councillors in the City of Cape Town Council join the calls for President Jacob Zuma step down as the President of South Africa.

Statement issued by Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, 28 April 2016