Helen Suzman Foundation approaches Constitutional Court over reshuffle
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) and My Vote Counts NPC (MVC) have approached the Constitutional Court over President Jacob Zuma's recent Cabinet reshuffle.
They want the court to review and declare the President Zuma's decision to axe former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas unconstitutional.
The two organisations believe both the President and the National Assembly have violated their Constitutional duties to direct the Speaker Baleka Mbete to institute an investigation into President Zuma's conduct, with a view to possible removal proceedings against the President.
"The HSF and MVC firmly believe that if one has regard to the debacle surrounding the dismissal of Minister Nene in December 2015, to the Nkandla scandal, and to the latest cabinet reshuffle, the President has established a pattern of conduct. This pattern is one of irrational and unlawful behaviour, without proper regard for the Constitution and with astonishing disregard for the situation of the poor and disadvantaged sections of society, who will be the first to suffer the economic consequences of his irrational actions," HSF and MVC says in a joint statement.
This comes amid a Constitutional Court bid by the United Democratic Movement (UDM) to allow voting by secret ballot in a motion of no confidence in the President.
HSF and MVC says the immediate reaction by the financial markets to the downgrading by international ratings agencies have been well-publicised.
"We are even more concerned at the longer term damage to the real economy. These downgrades will lead to higher borrowing costs for Government. The consequential increase in Government's debt servicing costs will make less funding available for Government spending, particularly when annual economic growth is well under 1%.
"This will put pressure on State spending on education and training, human settlements, health and social protection, which already make up 56% of total Government expenditure. Inevitably, a general dampening of business confidence and a negative effect on investment decisions will in time lead to lower economic growth and fewer new jobs being created."