Shortly after Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on upgrades to Zuma’s Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal was made public, the DA announced its intention to initiate impeachment proceeding against Zuma.
According to Madonsela’s report, which outlined the findings of her investigation into security upgrades costing more than R200 million at his Nkandla residence, Zuma acted in a way that was “inconsistent” with the Constitution and unintentionally misled parliament.
DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said, “Given these damning findings, I will submit a formal request to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu, to recall the National Assembly as a matter of urgency to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Zuma.
“Impeachment is the correct course of action for this flagrant abuse of public money… It is a fitting sanction for a President who abuses his office for personal gain.”
Referring to the severity of calling for Zuma’s impeachment, Mazibuko said the DA did not take the call for such action lightly.
“Impeachment is a serious step and it is not a constitutional mechanism which should be used without good reason.”
She urged the ANC and Zuma to respect the findings of the Public Protector’s report and to co-operate with all processes to ensure that every person, including Zuma, was held accountable.
The Freedom Front Plus is also in support of the possible impeachment proceedings against Zuma and the party’s MP Pieter Groenewald said Zuma should repay taxpayers’ money used for the upgrades to his private residence.
The DA further plans to pursue disciplinary action against other Cabinet ministers involved in the security upgrades at Nkandla.
Additionally, the DA and the Economic Freedom Fighters are expected to lay separate criminal charges against Zuma following the findings of the Nkandla report.
However, the ANC has downplayed the parties’ legal action, claiming that it was merely an attempt at politicking ahead of the elections.
“The EFF and DA are sensationalising; they have not opened a case because they want to see legal action take place, but because they want the media attention,” ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said.
