DA: Law negotiable for Zuma
2010-05-06 22:15
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Cabinet lets Zuma off the hook
Zuma must apologise - DA
Zuma must 'apologise, behave'
Cape Town - Cabinet's refusal to act against President Jacob Zuma for contravening the executive ethics code showed it believed he was above the law, the Democratic Alliance said on Thursday.
Parliamentary leader Atholl Trollip said Zuma had brazenly broken the law by not declaring his financial interests, assets and liabilities in time.
"In contravening the executive ethics code, and refusing to account for this behaviour, President Zuma acted as if he were above the law," Trollip said.
"Cabinet's decision has confirmed that, in the eyes of the executive, he is."
Zuma was supposed to have declared his interests last year, within 60 days of assuming office, but submitted the required paperwork only in March this year.
Public Protector Thulisile Madonsela found last month that Zuma had breached the executive ethics code by missing the deadline by eight months to declare his interest.
Zuma's office said confusion about whom the president should approach for permission to accept gifts worth more than R1 000 had contributed to his inability to meet the deadline.
Other members of the Cabinet need the president's permission.
Madonsela pointed out this and other shortcomings in the act and proposed that they be addressed.
She also urged Cabinet to introduce penalties for members of the executive who fall into breach of the ethics code.
"The President broke the law - brazenly and unapologetically," Trollip said.
"Such behaviour constitutes a direct attack on the values the President committed to upholding when assuming power."
Briefing the media on Thursday, following Cabinet's fortnightly meeting the day before, government spokesperson Themba Maseko told reporters in Cape Town that he was not aware of a pending apology from Zuma.
"However, in his response to the Public Protector, the President did express regret for missing the deadline and raised all the legal issues which may have contributed to that delay," he said in response to a question.
Maseko said the presidency and Justice Minister Jeff Radebe would review anomalies in the executive code of ethics, which Zuma blamed for his delay in declaring.
"The presidency and the minister of justice and constitutional development will review the code to address the gaps that have been identified in the Public Protector's report."
- SAPA
Read more on: politics cape town jacob zuma thulisile madonsela atholl trollip
Related Links
Cabinet lets Zuma off the hook
Zuma must apologise - DA
Zuma must 'apologise, behave'
Cape Town - Cabinet's refusal to act against President Jacob Zuma for contravening the executive ethics code showed it believed he was above the law, the Democratic Alliance said on Thursday.
Parliamentary leader Atholl Trollip said Zuma had brazenly broken the law by not declaring his financial interests, assets and liabilities in time.
"In contravening the executive ethics code, and refusing to account for this behaviour, President Zuma acted as if he were above the law," Trollip said.
"Cabinet's decision has confirmed that, in the eyes of the executive, he is."
Zuma was supposed to have declared his interests last year, within 60 days of assuming office, but submitted the required paperwork only in March this year.
Public Protector Thulisile Madonsela found last month that Zuma had breached the executive ethics code by missing the deadline by eight months to declare his interest.
Zuma's office said confusion about whom the president should approach for permission to accept gifts worth more than R1 000 had contributed to his inability to meet the deadline.
Other members of the Cabinet need the president's permission.
Madonsela pointed out this and other shortcomings in the act and proposed that they be addressed.
She also urged Cabinet to introduce penalties for members of the executive who fall into breach of the ethics code.
"The President broke the law - brazenly and unapologetically," Trollip said.
"Such behaviour constitutes a direct attack on the values the President committed to upholding when assuming power."
Briefing the media on Thursday, following Cabinet's fortnightly meeting the day before, government spokesperson Themba Maseko told reporters in Cape Town that he was not aware of a pending apology from Zuma.
"However, in his response to the Public Protector, the President did express regret for missing the deadline and raised all the legal issues which may have contributed to that delay," he said in response to a question.
Maseko said the presidency and Justice Minister Jeff Radebe would review anomalies in the executive code of ethics, which Zuma blamed for his delay in declaring.
"The presidency and the minister of justice and constitutional development will review the code to address the gaps that have been identified in the Public Protector's report."
- SAPA
Read more on: politics cape town jacob zuma thulisile madonsela atholl trollip
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