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The Congress of the People notes that common sense has eventually prevailed at the Union buildings with President Zuma's lawyer, Michael Hulley, announcing that the President has declared his and his family members' financial interests as required by the unambiguous regulation, the Executive Ethics Code.

The Parliamentary Leader of the COPE, Dr Mvume Dandala has however expressed his dismay and extreme concern at the conduct of South Africa's first citizen, considering that it took the ‘champion' of the fight against corruption 10-months into his office to abide by the law and declare his financial interests.

Dandala said, "We are gravely concerned that it had to take a newspaper expose before the President could declare his financial and family members' interests, particularly because in 2003 when he was the Deputy President, Mr. Zuma also did not declare his interests."

Dr. Dandala also thanked the media for their unswerving dedication to investigate and publish the facts in this matter. "The value of a free press, committed to transparency and democracy, has been clearly demonstrated", said Dandala.

The Congress of the People will through the Ethics Committee push the request for a full explanation to be given by the President on why it took him so long to abide by the law. This explanation will also have to indicate what was so unclear about the law that the President did abide by back in 2003 and so confusing all of a sudden in 2010. Our constitutional democracy does not deserve a dishonest President who has utter contempt for the law.

"Only an honest probe into the fictitious "loan agreement" submitted by President Zuma in 2003 will satisfy us that he has respect for parliament and moral conviction to effectively fight corruption. His conduct, so far, has unfortunately demonstrated that he has little regard for the law. His word cannot be trusted", further said Dandala.

The Congress of the People will be following up on the various questions that have arisen in public regarding allegations of donations from business people to either the President and/or members of his family. COPE trusts that the President has disclosed all these gratuities, whether they are donations, loans or any other form of largesse.