Bid to shield JZ

ANC says Parliament’s Guptagate debate is not about Zuma

THE ANC yesterday moved to shield President Jacob Zuma from Guptagate fallout, saying he did not need to attend the upcoming parliamentary debate about the controversial family’s use of the Waterkloof Air Force base

ANC chief whip Mathole Motshekga yesterday accused the DA of wanting to make Zuma the main focus of the debate.

“(The Democratic Alliance) wanted to use the topic as a smokescreen to pursue its obsessive vendetta against President Zuma,” Motshekga’s office said.

“It is becoming clear Parliament would have failed in its constitutional responsibility if this important debate is reduced to some kangaroo court.”

Motshekga dismissed calls by the DA for Zuma to be present at the debate, saying that the topic was not the president, but the use of the military airport. He said Zuma was not a Member of Parliament and therefore could not be expected to be present for snap debates. It would be “extremely absurd” for Zuma to account for a matter that was still under investigation, he said.

Earlier, the ANC agreed to the debate, saying that Parliament had a responsibility to reflect on the matter. “We cannot allow a situation whereby our ports of entry and national key points are penetrated with impunity.”

The debate is scheduled to take place from June 4 to 7.

On Sunday, the DA said it had requested that the Public Protector investigate the controversy around the Gupta family’s use of Waterkloof base to land a plane carrying guests for a wedding.

“We cannot allow President Zuma and members of his Cabinet to get off the hook by hanging a couple of rogue officials out to dry,” said DA MP David Maynier.

A senior police officer, three air force officers and the chief of state protocol have been suspended for their alleged parts in the landing.