ANC's miscalculation of gargantuan proportion

On Tuesday, 12 June 2012 the Deputy Speaker made a ruling in which she requested Hon. Mosiuoa Lekota to withdraw his assertion in Parliament that the President had violated his oath of office by manifestly neglecting to uphold the Constitutional rights of artist Brett Murray, Editor Ferial Haffajee and Goodman Gallery Owner Lisa Esser, as well as not upholding the dignity of the judiciary.

Mr Lekota asked the deputy speaker whether he was not entitled in terms of section 89 of the Constitution to criticise the President in a presidential vote.

Notwithstanding the fact that members may submit a substantive motion in calling for the House to reflect on whether the President had violated his oath of office, the truth remains that in Vote 1 where the President is present and his vote is being debated, members can assert on the basis of argument that the President had indeed violated his oath of office. And leave it to the President to respond.

The President had opportunity to rebut this accusation and in no way did it merit the withdrawal of the point by Mr. Lekota on the basis of the ruling by Deputy Speaker. 

The ruling gave no cognisance to the nature and scope of the debate that was taking place and the fact that the member of the executive could be challenged to the extent that he was by Mr. Lekota.

COPE believes the ruling party has made a miscalculation of gargantuan proportion in attempting to curtail criticism of the President in the House where the President has equal standing with all other members.

Statement issued by COPE, June 12 2012

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