Date: 18/03/2010
Source: the Congress of the People
Title: Cope: Dandala: Speech by the Cope parliamentary leader, in the debate on the vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma, Parliament

Honourable Speaker,

The Congress of the People feels very strongly that our country has abandoned, and willfully squandered the high moral ground that we as a country occupied so proudly after 1994. The President has let down our nation, Africa and the world. Our destiny that looked so promising until a few months ago, now faces a universal erosion of goodwill.

On behalf of the Congress of the People, I move that this House has no confidence in the President of the Republic. He has failed to live up to the expectations of a broad spectrum of South Africans.

A few examples demonstrate the flagrant violation of the oath he took when he occupied the highest office:

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• It is common knowledge how the President has failed this nation by his repeated risky sexual behaviour thus weakening the crucial fight against HIV and Aids by setting a poor example.
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• He has failed to exercise any leadership over his cabinet and political colleagues, some of whom continue to send conflicting messages on what is acceptable ethical and moral behavior.
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• He has failed to act against approximately 2000 civil servants who stole more that 650 million Rand from the public purse
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• Despite having the Ginwala Commission's report available to him, he has failed to exercise good judgment by appointing a man of dubious record and poor capability as the National Director of Public Prosecution.
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• He has failed to lead on the issues of accountability to this parliament by not declaring his assets and liabilities on time and only doing so eight months late and under public pressure.
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This sad reality, rather than any politicking and vengeful vendetta against the President, is why we are bringing this motion before the house.

He swore at his inauguration, and I quote, "I commit myself to the service of the nation with dedication, commitment, discipline, integrity, hard work and passion".

Speaker,the President has by his own wilful conduct and dangerously flawed judgement lost the confidence of this House and the nation. He should do the honourable thing: resign his office.