Army can’t save ‘constitutional delinquent’

Cape Town – We are not scared of them, said the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) national spokesperson about the deployment of the army at this evening’s State of the Nation address (Sona).

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was yesterday adamant that EFF MPs would disrupt President Jacob Zuma’s address.

“We will be inside the Assembly to hold Zuma accountable, as we always do,” Ndlozi told The Citizen.

“If he is there, he must know he has to be held accountable in terms of the Constitutional Court judgment that says he has broken his oath of office.”

Ndlozi warned the army, stressing the EFF would defend the constitution against anyone.

Early yesterday, the party had condemned the deployment of the army, saying it had no place in the maintenance of law and order because police had been given such a mandate. “The military are people who get deployed for war and whose training is about killing the enemies of the state,” he said. “We know for sure that this initiative by Zuma is done to intimidate the media and the EFF. “Zuma no longer has confidence in the rank and file, including police captains, to execute his illegal decisions and instructions. “The president now hopes to use the army to suppress opposition to his illegitimacy as a constitutional delinquent.”

Meanwhile, there was a huge police presence in and around parliament yesterday, while some officials were seen busy with the logistical preparations.

During last year’s address, Zuma’s speech was delayed for about an hour, as he was constantly interrupted. It appears the same is likely to happen tonight – if the EFF has its way.

Zuma had previously repeatedly spoken out against disruptions in parliament.

We will hold Zuma accountable, as we always do