DA welcomes the Speaker's decision to consider motion of impeachment against President Zuma 

I have this afternoon received a letter from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu, in response to my tabling a motion to remove President Jacob Zuma in terms of Section 89 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.  

Mr Sisulu has indicated that he is considering my request for the establishment of an ad hoc committee and the initiation of impeachment proceedings against President Jacob Zuma. 

I have written  back to Mr Sisulu requesting clarity on when this crucial decision which is given effect to by the Constitution will be made.

I have also reminded him that my motion should not be dependent on the President replying to Parliament nor should it await for the tabling of the report in Parliament by the Public Protector herself, since the report is a public document. Indeed I have already attached the full report to the motion which I tabled with him last week.  

It is critical that the National Assembly move with speed on this very serious matter. Parliament must re-establish itself as the main platform for executive oversight. We cannot abdicate our duty to hold all those responsible -including President Zuma- accountable any longer. 

I look forward to the Speaker's finalisation of my request for a meeting with him which I believe is essential given the urgency of this matter. 

Text of the letter from Speaker Max Sisulu to Lindiwe Mazibuko, March 25 2014:

Dear Ms Mazibuko

SUBMISSION OF NOTICE OF MOTION ON FINDINGS OF PUBLIC PROTECTOR

Thank you for your letter, dated 20 March 2014, pertaining to the publication of the Public Protectors Report on an Investigation into Allegations of Impropriety and Unethical Conduct relating to the Installation and Implementation of Security Measures by the Department of Public Works at and in respect of the Private Residence of President Jacob Zuma at Nkandla ¡n the KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The Public Protector has not submitted the above-mentioned report to the National Assembly for tabling. She has, however, submitted the report to the President for perusal and comment ¡n accordance with the provisions of the Executive Members' Ethics Act (No 82 of 1998), following which the President must table the report in the Assembly together with his comments and a report on any remedial steps taken or intended to be taken.

We are awaiting the outcome of that process. Once received, the report and other documents received will be tabled and then it will formally serve before the House and its structures.

As for your notice of motion for the appointment of an ad hoc committee, I am currently considering it and will revert to you at the earliest opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

M V SISULU MP

Speaker of the National Assembly

Text of the reply from Lindiwe Mazibuko to Max Sisulu, March 25 2014:

Dear Mr Speaker

NOTICE OF MOTION FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Thank you for your reply dated 25 March 2014 and for processing of my notice of motion. I would like to obtain further clarity from you on a number of issues:

Firstly, in my letter I requested an urgent meeting with you to discuss this matter.

I would appreciate your kind response to this request as I believe this meeting is still necessary and important.

Secondly, with regard to the establishment of an ad hoc committee to give effect to Section 89(1) of the Constitution, I would like confirmation that your consideration of this request is not dependent on the President's reply to Parliament on the Public Protector's report. As I understand it, the processing of my notice of motion is not contingent on any such action by the President.

Thirdly, I would appreciate clarity on how soon you will be able to provide me with a response, as this is an issue is of national importance.

Finally, while the Public Protector has not yet formally tabled her report it has been made publicly available and was attached to my original letter. I therefore urge you as Speaker of the National Assembly to seek the Public Protector's permission to table this report yourself if you deem this pivotal to the process.

I await your swift response.

Sincerely

Lindiwe Mazibuko MP

DA Parliamentary Leader

Democratic Alliance

Cc Mr M Xaso

Secretary to the National Assembly

Parliament of the Republic of South Africa

Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance, March 25 2014

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