BUILD One South Africa (BOSA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, has told Parliament to back off and allow Chief Justice Zondo to do his work.
Maimane said Friday, 30 June marks International Day of Parliamentarism, a time to pause and review the progress that parliaments all over the world have made in achieving key goals, including being more representative and to “move with the times”.
He said it was fitting to consider this day in light of the recent and “unfortunate behaviour“ by Parliament in response to Zondo’s public statements.
Chief Justice Zondo angered National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and other presiding officers when he said that Parliament had failed to implement the recommendations of the State Capture Inquiry, which he chaired.
Zondo said he believed should State Capture occur again, ”Parliament would never be able to prevent it, as nothing has fundamentally changed in the operations or rules of Parliament".
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He was promptly asked to a meeting with the politicians over the issue.
Afterwards, Mapisa-Nqakula said parliament would not accept criticism from the judiciary and said judges should be alert to the principle of separation of powers.
But Maimane backed Zondo's comments, saying: “This is absolutely correct, and we stand with Chief Justice Zondo on this sentiment. It's no secret that this sixth Parliament is the most docile, executive-minded and different we have witnessed since the dawn of democracy.
"Through the Phala Phala and State Capture sagas, and other dubious acts, Parliament has operated as a protection racket for the executive arm of government and the governing party.”
Maimane said it was unfortunate that the ANC political leadership, led by Mapisa-Nqakula, reacted in a hostile manner to the Chief Justice’s statements and acted beyond its authority by summoning him to a meeting to “iron the matter out”.
“Our view is this action is an attempt to silence the Chief Justice and to place a lid on the matters he raised, which are germane to our very democracy,” he said.
Maimane said he served a Cease-and-Desist letter on the Speaker, requesting Parliament to stop its unbecoming behaviour in this regard.
He said there are almost 100 ANC members mentioned in the State Capture Report, and yet not one has been dealt with and held accountable.
