Share

Zuma no longer a 'fit and proper' commander-in-chief - defence union

Cape Town – The SA National Defence Union (Sandu) has called for lawful means to remove President Jacob Zuma from office as it believes he is no longer fit to be the commander-in-chief of the defence force.

In a media statement posted to Facebook, Sandu national secretary JG Greeff said it was "absolutely despicable" that Zuma had transgressed the very Constitution that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) was charged with upholding.

He referred to the Constitutional Court ruling on Thursday, which stated that Zuma had failed to "uphold, defend and respect the Constitution" when he did not adhere to the remedial actions called for by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.

"Given the ruling made, the president can no longer be considered a fit and proper person to remain the commander-in-chief of the SANDF, nor can any of the parliamentary members who so stubbornly protected him in his questionable endeavours against the Public Protector’s findings, be considered fit and proper persons to hold office as members of Parliament."

Greeff said they called on the commander-in-chief to be removed from his post and for the relevant MPs to resign.

"How can those with unconstitutional dirt on their hands be expected to further oversee and or command the SANDF with integrity or any inkling of moral standing?" he asked in the post.

The union supported any call for mass action and other "lawful means" to remove Zuma from office.

"Sandu encourages all members of society, including soldiers to participate in their private capacity and time in any lawful mass action campaigns which might be called to the end of lawfully recalling and or removing President Zuma from office."

According to the post, the call was not a political stance but "a moral and constitutional stance in support of our constitutional democratic values of the rule of law".

Greeff was not immediately available for comment.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed. 
Subscribe to News24
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
What do you think about the SA government investigating Chinese online fashion retailer Shein over its business practices?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
It’s a waste of resources that should go to local trade
30% - 1498 votes
I think Shein is being unfairly targeted
10% - 493 votes
Dig up the dirt! We must look out for SA retailers
42% - 2120 votes
I don’t mind, as long as the customer doesn’t suffer
18% - 902 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.48
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
22.65
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
19.89
+0.4%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.14
+0.2%
Platinum
979.51
-0.5%
Palladium
1,407.27
+0.0%
Gold
1,941.30
+0.0%
Silver
22.41
+0.0%
Brent Crude
75.32
+2.0%
Top 40
69,301
+0.7%
All Share
74,777
+0.7%
Resource 10
65,097
-0.9%
Industrial 25
100,968
+1.2%
Financial 15
15,319
+1.7%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE