PETAL POWER
speaking on behalf of all the parties bringing the court action, said Zuma’s continued stay in office posed a major threat to constitutionalism. Therefore his removal should be a priority for all citizens, said Holomisa. He said the Constitutional Court is the last line of defence against betrayal by those in power.
The parties argued that since Zuma was elected by Parliament through a secret ballot, he must be removed by a secret ballot.
“We believe that a secret vote would provide the safest space for every individual MP to be guided by his or her free conscience, not by the dictates of political bosses who issue instructions to Parliament from party headquarters.
“The constitution is the only instrument our people can and must use to neutralise this threat,” Holomisa said.
Save South Africa said it was important for a united civil society to remove Zuma. African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Rev Kenneth Meshoe said South Africa must be a model to other countries.
“President Zuma doesn’t have the interest of the people, he wants to see the state looted to satisfy his greed,” Meshoe said.
Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said Zuma is criminal at the forefront of state capture. In the process he deployed lackeys like Brian Molefe to do the job. “This vote is a conscience vote, we must be clear that we are not going to vote on policy but vote out a criminal.”
Besides the UDM, DA, ACDP and Freedom Movement, leaders from the Congress of the People (Cope), Agang SA and the African Peoples Convention were present.