DA’S IMPEACHMENT MOTION A CHEAP PUBLICITY STUNT

4 August 2015

The DA’s proposed motion for the impeachment of the President for allegedly violating the Constitution regarding the Al Bashir matter is a publicity stunt that is not worthy of serious consideration. Section 89 of the Constitution states amongst others that the President may only be removed from office for a serious violation of the Constitution or the law. No Court of law has ever found the President guilty of violation of the law or the Constitution. In the absence of any constitutional or legal basis, Mmusi Maimane’s motion amounts to political posturing and is not worth the paper it is written on.

The ANC wishes to express its categorical support for the government’s decision to apply for leave to appeal the Gauteng North High Court decision regarding the matter involving the President of Sudan, His Excellency Omar Al-Bashir.

As we have repeatedly stated all heads of states and delegates that attended the African Union summit in Sandton were granted diplomatic immunity by the government in line with international standards and practices related to events such as the one held recently in our country.

This diplomatic immunity was granted in terms of the laws of this country and this simply means that government was duty bound to ensure that President Al-Bashir does enjoy the privileges of such immunity. It is for this reason that we wish to reiterate our support for government decision to appeal the Gauteng North High Court decision while dismissing the DA’s motion with the contempt it deserves.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, August 4 2015