ANC wants parliament to 'protect' Zuma

The ANC wants parliament to protect President Jacob Zuma and his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, from continued "humiliation and embarrassment" by Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters and other opposition parties

In a statement issued at the end of its national executive committee meeting yesterday, the ANC said it had discussed "concerning developments" in parliament where opposition parties have "the obvious intention" of humiliating the president and the deputy president whenever they appear.

The NEC called on parliament to protect Zuma and Ramaphosa from further opposition attacks.

"The NEC advises and appeals to parliament to urgently resolve the challenges facing it and restore to the House the necessary dignity and decorum, appreciation of its rules ensuring that it becomes once again a House South Africans can be proud of," said ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.

"The NEC cautions against continuing this trend of negatively exposing the head of state to disrespect and intended humiliation by a fringe group committed to undermining democracy," Mantashe said.

The party would not explain how this "protection" would be provided but insisted this would not mean that Zuma and Ramaphosa would be above accountability.