Zuma Q&A: Zuma’s chance to make a clear statement on Cabinet Wars 

12 September 2016

South Africa cannot afford a sovereign ratings downgrade later this year. Tomorrow in the National Assembly, I will ask President Jacob Zuma “what plan of action does the Government have in place to avoid such an occurrence and to ensure that the poor are not adversely affected, that jobs are created and that investors still see South Africa as a safe, desirable investment destination?”

Further to this question, I will be asking President Zuma to explain and clarify his questionable new role at the helm of our crippled State-Owned Entities (SOEs) – as he now chairs the Presidential State-Owned Companies Coordinating Council – which has extensive power over the day-to-day running of our SOEs. 

President Zuma is known to evade accountability during his parliamentary question and answer sessions. Tomorrow’s session is not the occasion for him to repeat that behaviour. He should make a clear statement on the Cabinet Wars, and how he plans to end the impasse and get the government focussed on avoiding the downgrade. 

South Africans will be watching tomorrow’s session for answers on how President Zuma plans to pull his government together between now and December, end the war in the cabinet, and stave off a downgrade. Central to changing perceptions and improving confidence in our economy is ending the war between the Presidency and the Treasury. Stability and policy coherence at the highest levels of Government are necessary for building a growing and an inclusive economy.

Politics aside, we can all agree that the current Cabinet Wars are harming the economy, and are causing more disinvestment and unemployment. This will only accelerate if we are downgraded in December. The time for laughing in the face of serious questions is over; the stakes for the country are far too high. 

Issued by Mabine Seabe, Spokesperson to the DA Leader, 12 September 2016