Article: Four key infrastructure projects now launched - Zuma

The government is on target with regards to turning South Africa into a "huge construction site" with the launch this week of the fourth Strategic Infrastructure Projects (Sips) since February this year, President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday.

"We are poised to meet our target of turning South Africa into a huge construction site," said Zuma, presenting the Presidency's Budget Vote in Parliament.
 
The parliamentary responses to his speech was more exciting!!!

COPE:

Shouts of anger erupted in the National Assembly when Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota accused President Jacob Zuma of violating his oath of office.

Lekota said the president had failed to uphold his Constitutional obligations to protect the rights of artist Brett Murray, who depicted Zuma with his genitals exposed, and City Press editor Ferial Haffajee, who refused to remove an image of the painting from the newspaper's website.

"The president, whose bounden duty it was to uphold the Constitution, did not once utter a word of disapproval against his party leaders and Cabinet members resorting to fascist style measures and tactics to threaten those who were exercising their rights and waiting for the high court to deliver a judgment," he said.

Lekota was speaking during the raucous debate after Zuma delivered the presidency's budget speech.

"The president failed to uphold the right of Ferial Haffajee in terms of 16(1)(a) and of Brett Murray in terms of 16(1)(c) and he has failed the nation as a whole by not being faithful to his oath of office."

Lekota, whom MPs accused of shouting and treating the House as a "rally", said Zuma never once asked his followers to await the judgment of the court in the matter.

He said Zuma did not repudiate Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande for "acting in direct contravention of the Constitution".

Neither did Zuma condemn "the fascist action" of Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile "who literally frog marched" Goodman Gallery owner Lisa Esser to make a public apology before the media.

"The shocking failure of the president to uphold the Constitution, over the last fortnight, ought to warrant a review by this House.

"The laws made in this democratic Parliament seem to be of no consequence and the role of the judiciary of no standing."

As shouts erupted in the House, Lekota asked Deputy Speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo who was chairing the debate to protect him from being "humiliated".

Nzimande asked Mfeketo to rule whether Lekota could make such a "serious statement" about Zuma.

"If a member of this House can stand and make a serious statement that the president has violated his oath of office... Such a statement is a serious thing. Madam chair I ask you to rule."

Mfeketo said the matter would be ruled on later.
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DA:
Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko was heckled and jeered by ANC MPs as she urged President Jacob Zuma not to stand for a second term in office.

Zuma sat expressionless as Mazibuko challenged him in the National Assembly over his leadership and said he was "often forced to bow" to the ANC's allies.

"It is clear to every South African that the president's failure to lead has paralysed his ability to govern," Mazibuko said in a speech that was interrupted four times by her opposing MPs on points of order.

"I believe the president has failed to provide South Africa with justification as to why he should seek a second term, when his first term has fallen so far short of even the lowest expectations.

"Honourable president, for the sake of our country, will you put aside self-interest and not make yourself available for re-election?" Mazibuko asked.

She said Zuma was often forced to bow before "an unelected Congress of SA Trade Unions and others".

Zuma was unable to drive policy that ran counter to the interests of the disparate factions that brought him to power, she said.

"By declaring himself unavailable for re-election, the president will not face the relentless pressure of trying to secure his position in what is set to be a brutal and protracted struggle for power," said Mazibuko.

"He would be free to govern as head of state and not be constrained by his party's alliance partners who have done so much to frustrate him."

Mazibuko said Zuma would never be able to stamp his authority on his government because factions within the ANC did not share a common purpose.

A president and a government could lead only when they spoke with one voice and acted as one, she said.

"The president should be president of us all, not just the ANC. And he must govern in the interests of all; not only the ANC and its alliance partners."

South Africa, she said, was "crying out" for leadership and direction.

"In these difficult days, we look to the president to give the nation hope to overcome despair. Yet he has failed to match the power of his office with a sense of purpose.

The president's attention had been diverted from his duties.

Energy spent on organising a march to the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg over a "satirical" painting of him had distracted from the serious work of government.

"Once again, representatives of the ANC, and some of its ministers, are attempting to close down the space for freedom of expression through bullying and intimidation," she said.
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The construction site thing is quite apt. It's well known that when there is building in an area, crime spikes. Now the ANC are just admitting that they plan to loot the country :p
 
Sinbad said:
The construction site thing is quite apt. It's well known that when there is building in an area, crime spikes. Now the ANC are just admitting that they plan to loot the country :p
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That's what Free Willy said the other day. He can't see a problem with politicians doing business.
 
The president's attention had been diverted from his duties.
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Yeah, and the spear showed us exactly where that attention often wanders to.

Shape up or step aside Zuma!
 
/OT

Anyone seen that ZANews clip with Zille & Mazibuko? Can't help laughing every time that woman talks now.
 
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