'Zuma must take a stand'

2008-07-08 11:02

Cape Town - Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille has called on ruling party leader Jacob Zuma to sign the so-called Asmal declaration, which expresses respect for the Constitution and denounces "kill for Zuma" statements.

"Now is the time for Jacob Zuma to take a stand against those in his party who hold the Constitution with contempt," Zille said in a statement on Tuesday.

"By signing Kader Asmal's declaration and publicly expressing his support for it, Jacob Zuma would send out the signal that a future ANC government will respect the rule of law and our nation's founding values."

Zille said she became a signatory to the Asmal declaration on Sunday "against the injunction to kill and in defence of the Constitution we must live for.

"In the last few weeks, we have seen an unprecedented attack on the Constitution by key tripartite alliance leaders Zwelinzima Vavi, Julius Malema, Buti Manamela and Gwede Mantashe.

"All of these leaders have rubbished the Constitution in the political interests of their leader, Jacob Zuma."

Both Vavi and Malema had said they were willing to kill for Zuma while Mantashe publicly attacked the judiciary.

Zille said Zuma had remained quiet instead of denouncing their statements.

"His silence, if it continues, must be taken as a sign that he too has no respect for our constitutional order."

- SAPA