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Polity
Article by: Sapa Published: 19 Mar 2010
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| Buthelezi refuses to back Zuma no confidence vote | |
| Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi refused to support a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma brought by the Congress of the People (Cope) in the National Assembly on Thursday, saying that the times were too "dire" to undermine the commander-in-chief. "The times are too dire, the challenges too great and the risks too high for us to undermine the commander-in-chief at this juncture," Buthelezi said. "But he must perform and perform soon. "At this juncture we pledge our support to the President, give him the benefit of the doubt after only nine months in office." Buthelezi said that his party would keep a tight watch on Zuma's progress "especially his stewardship in managing the economic crisis". He wanted to see "firm and immediate action", starting with "this nonsense of hate speech" which Zuma has allowed in his ranks. "This song of 'kill the boer, kill the rapist' destroys whatever has been achieved by way of reconciliation. "It destroys Madiba's legacy, which is our joint legacy." Independent Democrats (ID) leader Patricia de Lille supported the motion and said that the public would no longer be misled by Zuma's "smile and fake apologies". "The ID is not taking this vote of no confidence in President Zuma lightly because his party elected him as President after a democratic election," she said. "However, he was not elected to do whatever he wants with impunity and to bring our country into disrepute. "The public have been extremely patient, but they are tired of hearing your regular apologies. "We will no longer be misled by your smile and your fake apologies." South Africa deserved a President who could uphold the dignity of his office and inspire and give hope, she said. "There are many in the ANC who agree with us in private, but are too afraid to stand up for the Constitution." Freedom Front Plus (FFPlus) chief whip Corne Mulder also supported the motion, saying that the party had lost confidence in Zuma after he remained silent on African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema's "public incitement of violence". "The President, regardless of party loyalties, should defend the nation and Constitution," Mulder said. "He should set the example and should be the first to reprimand Malema in public for incitement of violence, and the advocacy of hatred. But he remained silent. "The FFPlus will support this motion of no confidence." |
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