Zuma a liability to SA‚ says ACDP leader

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Rev Kenneth Meshoe says his party agrees with those who believe that President Jacob Zuma has become a liability to the country and that he should do the honourable thing and step down.

Meshoe was speaking during the debate in Parliament on President Zuma’s state of the nation address.

He said that while the ACDP welcomed news of the President’s recent discussions with some of the leading CEOs of the business community to find solutions to the country’s slow economic growth‚ this however had to be seen against the backdrop of poor decision-making by the President.

This included the “irrational firing of our well-respected former Finance Minister‚ Mr Nene‚ in December”.

“This caused huge damage in investor confidence‚ the rand to tumble and significant losses on the stock exchange and bond markets.

“In a similar fashion‚ Chairperson‚ the President’s dramatic about-face on the Nkandla debacle‚ is an embarrassment to all those ANC MPs who served on the ad hoc committees and cabinet members‚ such as the Minister of Police‚ who‚ in trying to defend the Nkandla expenditure‚ undermined the Public Protector report and tried‚ at every turn‚ to protect the President from having to repay anything‚” Meshoe said.

The ACDP had argued consistently that the findings of the Public Protector are legally binding unless reviewed by a court‚ and that the President should repay a fair and reasonable amount‚ he added.

“Chairperson‚ both these serious matters have deeply tarnished the President’s credibility. They raise questions about the advice he is receiving and his ability to hold the highest office in the land.

“How can he expect to be trusted‚ even by his own cabinet‚ as a result? How will he restore the confidence of this House‚ his supporters‚ and potential investors?”.