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The Congress of the People salutes its MPs in the National Assembly who today tabled a motion of no confidence in the President of the Republic, Mr. Jacob Zuma. In his speech to the House, COPE's Parliamentary Leader, Dr. Mvume Dandala, outlined the reasons as follows:

"It is common knowledge how the President has failed this nation by his repeatedly risky sexual behaviour, thus weakening the crucial fight against HIV and Aids by setting a poor example. 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 behaviour. He has failed to act against the 2000 civil servants who stole more than R650 Million from the public purse. Despite having the Ginwala Commission's report available to him, he has failed to exercise good judgement by appointing a man of dubious record as the National Director of Public Prosecution. 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."

COPE takes no pleasure in the fact that what the party has been saying since it was formed a little over a year ago, has come to pass. While the President merrily continues in his brazen way to flout the constitution and the laws of the Republic, there is a creeping militarisation of our society taking place. The police are to be given military ranks, despite the fact that one of the legacies of the Mandela era was precisely to make the police a civilian force. The role of the intelligence services in politics continues to be of concern. VIP thugs, including the President's bodyguards, harass citizens regularly. As citizens become more disgruntled and protest poor service delivery, the ruling party resorts to conspiracy theories to try to cover up for its failures.

COPE knows that the majority of South Africans have had enough of the corruption, the wastage, the lies and the failed promises of the ruling party. Its leader must take responsibility. After less that one year in office, it is clear, the President is not fit to govern.