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Following the failure, once again, by President Jacob Zuma to declare his personal and family financial interests in the register of members' interests, the Congress of the People calls for the reopening of the initial investigation into President Zuma's clearly fraudulent document submitted to parliament in 2003.

It emerged during the Schabir Shaik Judgment that a document which was submitted to the Ethics Committee and formed the basis for the withdrawal of the case against President Zuma in November 2003 as a proof of a "loan agreement" between Schabir Schaik and President Zuma - was fictitious. At the time parliament claimed the matter was sub judice.

President Jacob Zuma has once again demonstrated his contempt for Parliament and for the law by failing to declare his interest within the 60 days as stipulated by the law. In 2003 the President maintained that he had complied with this act following the investigations by the Scorpions. It is puzzling, therefore, why the law would have become unclear to him since then.

COPE notes that nothing has changed in terms of the members' interest legislation since President Zuma was fired by then President Mbeki in 2005. The latest revelation that President Zuma has yet to declare once more demonstrates the contemptuous attitude of the President towards the institutions of state, his office and the nation.

The Congress of the People is extremely concerned that the ‘champion' of the fight against corruption 10-months into his office has yet to declare his financial interests. This form of contempt sends a very negative message to our people because is made to appear that some are more equal than others in particular those who are from the ruling party. The declaration of interests is at the heart of an effective fight against corruption - something that has adversely plagued our government.

Mvume Dandala said, "It does not augur well with us that President Zuma, the champion of the fight against the cancer of corruption is confused about the need to declare his interests when the law requiring him to do so was signed by him back in 2000 in his capacity as the acting president of the country. How ironic it is for him, therefore to be ducking and diving now".

COPE also notes that now there are reports that several of President Zuma's family members are being supported by private business people. This situation is not good for the country and certainly undermines the calls the President has made for efforts at promoting morality in our society and fighting corruption. It is this type of behaviour that has led to the Congress of the People to call for a vote of no confidence in the President.

There is no ambiguity regarding the obligation of the President to declare his financial interests. The Executive Ethics Code section 5.1 states that ‘every member must disclose...' There is no exclusion for any member. Section 5.2 further states that ‘the first disclosure must be made within 60 days of a member's assumption of office...' COPE is baffled by the Presidency's response that the law is not clear on whether he should declare or not.

The Congress of the People dismisses with utter contempt the assertions by the office of the presidency that the language of the law on the Executive Ethics Code is ambiguous. We urge all South Africans with access to the internet to Google ‘executive ethics code', and to read for themselves what the unambiguous requirements are for every member of the executive.

Dandala further said, "Just 14 months ago, COPE was founded on a very strong foundation of the respect for the rule of law and the defence of our constitutional democracy. Remaining true to our agenda, we will urge parliament not to fail our people now by keeping in office a President who cannot be believed anymore when he speaks."

"Why should South Africans believe President Zuma when he has to wait for a newspaper expose before he complies with the law?" asked Dandala.

The Congress of the People will not stand aside watching the integrity of the highest office in the land compromised as it has been so far by President Zuma. COPE will continue to push for a motion of no confidence which is still to be debated by members in parliament.

We demand that the President disclose his and his families' interests as per the law. If he does not wish to do so, he has one other option. He should resign.