ANC MPs outraged as DA calls Zuma accused number 1
Emotions are running high in Parliament as a debate rages on whether Jacob Zuma can be referred to as an accused in light of last week's High Court ruling on the corruption charges against the president.
The North Gauteng High Court ruled that former acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe's decision to drop the 783 charges against Zuma in 2009 was irrational, saying the president should face those charges.
Speaking during the debate on the Presidency's budget vote, DA leader Mmusi Maimane said Zuma was an accused criminal.
"Nelson Mandela was accused number one because his name was first on the charge sheet of the Rivonia trial. In the context of the struggle against Apartheid, this was indeed a badge of honour. It was an honourable thing. But today, the ANC is again led by accused number one but this time it has nothing to do with the being noble," he said.
ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu was quick to ask that the DA leader be ordered to withdraw the comment.
"We would like the member to withdraw. There is no accused number one in the name of President Zuma. In which court? There is no accused," he said.
But DA's chief whip John Steenhuisen jumped in quoting directly from the court judgment to prove their point.
"I would like to quote precisely from the judgement for the Chief Whip. Open quote, Mr. Zuma should face the charges as outlined in the original indictment, unquote. Accused number one," he said.
Maimane continued to refer to Zuma as an accused and after several objections from a few other ANC MPs, the chairperson said he would make a ruling on the matter later.
In his budget vote, the president elaborated on his administration's challenges and achievements , saying infrastructure is one of the major sectors being used to create jobs and a better life for all.
(File photo: Gallo Images)