Zuma must explain comments - Mazibuko
2013-01-14 14:28
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The ANC has held a rally in Durban to celebrate its 101st anniversary. See the pictures.
Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma must retract his
comments that businesses which support the ANC will prosper, DA parliamentary
leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said on Monday.
Mazibuko said she would be submitting parliamentary
questions to Zuma so that he can explain whether the remarks were in fact
government policy. If not, he will have to issue a formal retraction.
"These remarks, made during the ANC's birthday gala
dinner, have the potential to severely compromise the principle of good
governance, which our constitutional democracy fundamentally depends on.
"They imply that by backing the ANC, businesses will be
provided with financial reward, which can only be leveraged through state
resources," she said.
Zuma told business people at the African National Congress
gala dinner in Durban that businessmen who supported the ANC would see their
business "multiply".
"This is further evidence of how President Zuma
fundamentally confuses the role of the state and party, and how the government
continues to misuse public money, which should be spent on the poor,"
Mazibuko said. The R250m being spent on the upgrade of Zuma's Nkandla residence
is the most glaring example to date, she said.
She said Zuma should spend more time implementing measures
to fight corruption, instead of making dangerous and irresponsible comments
that had the potential to undermine the country's constitutional democracy.
- SAPA
