Zuma faces a grilling from MPs

FRESH from his trip to Russia, where he commemorated the 70th anniversary of the defeat of fascism in Europe, President Jacob Zuma will walk straight into a political firestorm where he faces a grilling from Parliament this week.

Zuma will have his hands full as he answers pertinent questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), ranging from the xenophobic violence to the Marikana report, on Thursday.

While Zuma said yesterday that he would release the Marikana report in due course, MPs will push him to commit to a date for its release.

Zuma said he was still looking at the report, and was particularly looking at its recommendations.

“The commission has made some serious recommendations that require careful consideration,” he said.

“Therefore, it is important to apply my mind carefully so that our response ensures that the events that took place in Marikana are not allowed to happen again in our country.

“Everything is being done to ensure that the matters are concluded as soon as possible.”

The Marikana report has been in Zuma’s hands for the past few weeks, after the Farlam Commission of Inquiry completed its work.

During question time in Parliament this Thursday, Zuma is expected to give more details on Marikana.

United Democratic Movement MP Lennox Gaehler has asked Zuma on the date for the release of the Marikana report and for him to commit himself as to when the report will be made public.

The Farlam Commission completed its work last November and handed the report to Zuma at the beginning of last month.

The commission, which began its hearings in October 2012, had heard evidence from a number of witnesses including miners, the police and ministers.

More than 43 miners and security guards were killed on August 16, 2012, when police opened fire on the striking miners.

Zuma has been under pressure from opposition parties to release the report in public.

Zuma’s appearance in the NCOP will also focus on the xenophobic violence that gripped the country for weeks, and MPs are demanding answers from him.

DA MP Elza van Lingen has asked Zuma on measures he has taken to fix the country’s dented image in the region and the world.

Van Lingen’s question is tied to that of ANC MP Boingotlo Gerard Nthebe, who wants to know about the impact the meetings Zuma had with organisations representing foreigners.

Zuma met these organisations in Pretoria last month, to discuss how to co-operate and work together to prevent further attacks on foreign nationals.

Zuma said the discussions had been fruitful and he had listened to the concerns raised by the leaders of the migrant organisations.

Nthebe wants to know whether these meetings will lead to a peaceful co-existence.