The ANCWL applauds President Jacob Zuma for complying with the order of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of South Africa
13 September 2016
The African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) welcomes the decision of the ANC President in complying with the Constitional Court (ConCourt) order. Furthermore the ANCWL applauds the decision of the President to use wholly black-owned specialist corporate finance and retail bank which is registered with and regulated by the SARB, under banking license number 1051, governed by the Mutual Bank's Act, 1993 in acquiring money to pay for the Nkandla non-security features. His confidence in supporting black owned businesses is humbling.
Pre-1994 due to non- existence of Chapter 9 institutions charged with responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability, land was stolen from the Africans and mineral resources of South Africa were looted by imperialists. Unfortunately some of the beneficiaries of that criminal act are hellbent in rejecting any current progressive laws to redress the imbalances of the past in relations to land ownership and economic transformation.
As an embodiment of constitutional democracy, transparency and accountability the ANC led government championed for the establishment of Chapter 9 Institutions in South Africa post 1994. Amongst other Chapter 9 institutions is the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) which as per section 167(3) of the Constitution of SA, is the highest court in all constitutional matters.
On the 31st March 2016, the ConCourt made an order on Cases CCT 143/15 and CCT 171/15 that the President must personally pay the amount to be determined by the National Treasury regarding non-security features at the President's home - stead in Nkandla. Furthermore ConCourt instructed the President to reprimand Ministers who were involved in the project.
On the 1st of April 2016, the President publicly unreservedly welcomed the judgement of the Constitutional Court and apologised on his behalf and on behalf of the government for the frustration and confusion caused by the dragging of the Nkandla matter, caused by the misinterpretation of the law, which at the end clarity was provided by the ConCourt. In complying to the ConCourt order the President:
- Reprimanded Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi, his predecessor Geoff Doidge, and former police minister Nathi Mthethwa, who is now the minister of arts and culture.
- Kept his long standing commitment that he would would pay an amount towards the Nkandla non-security upgrades once this had been determined by the correct authorities. He paid the amount of R7 814 155.00 to the South African Reserve Bank. This amount was determined by National Treasury as per ConCourt order.
Whilst detractors claim to be the paragon of respect to the Constitution they have no political program except attacking President Zuma and will still be clinching on Nkandla matter. It is our conviction as the ANCWL that the matter has been laid to rest. We call on our members and supporters to continue working towards making the ANC a more effective instrument for the liberation of our people and unreservedly defend the unity and integrity of the organisation.
The ANCWL calls on President Jacob Zuma and the leadership collective of the ANC to continue in implementing all the ANC Conference resolutions in particular on Land, Economic transformation, Free Education and the State Bank. By the end of his ANC term in 2017 and Government term in 2019 he should have radically addressed the issue of land ownership, economic transformation, free education and established a State Bank.
It is high time that the economic freedom is achieved and the landless Africans gets their land back which was stolen as far back as 1652. Landlessness and economic exclusion severely affects women of our country in particular women of African origin.
Issued by Meokgo Matuba, ANCWL Secretary General, 13 September 2016
