Cabinet lets Zuma off the hook...

[DJ...]

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/Cabinet-lets-Zuma-off-the-hook-20100506

Cape Town – Cabinet has opted not to impose any sanction on President Jacob Zuma for failing to declare his interests in time.

It decided, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said on Thursday, that the presidency and Justice Minister Jeff Radebe would review anomalies in the executive code of ethics, which Zuma blamed for his delay in declaring.

"The presidency and the minister of justice and constitutional development will review the code to address the gaps that have been identified in the Public Protector's report."

Public Protector Thulisile Madonsela found last month that Zuma had breached the code by missing the deadline to declare his interests by eight months.

Under the Executive Ethics Code, he had to declare within 60 days of taking office.

Zuma's office said confusion about whom the president should approach for permission to accept gifts worth more than R1 000 had contributed to his inability to meet the deadline. Other members of the Cabinet need the presidency's permission.

Madonsela pointed out this and other shortcomings in the act and proposed that they be addressed.

But she also urged Cabinet to introduce penalties for members of the executive who fall into breach of the ethics code.

While this is no surprise, the excuses given are some of the worst I have ever in my life heard. They really couldn't care what they say any more, or what excuses they use. Since when does it take Zuma's entire entourage 8 months to determine who to speak to about gifts over R1000. And are these gifts disclosed line by line? WTF man!?

If you were in the corporate world and failed to deliver an important report to your shareholders because you didn't know who to ask for a simple piece of information, you'd be fired on the bloody spot. No questions - you'd be considered incompetent. What a joke. And what an insult to South Africans...

 

[DJ...]

And in related news, Zuma couldn't really give a toss and has no intention of apologising for missing the deadline by 8 months - http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/No-plan-for-Zuma-apology-20100506

[sarcasm]
Of course it's not his place to apologise. I mean this guy has obviously been elusively hiding away from Zuma for 8 months. He looked everywhere - under his desk; in the cupboard; in the shower - but still, he could not find this guy. He must have been an expert hide and seek player in his youth. Eish, talking about youth, look, there's Julius...
[/sarcasm]

 

[R13...]

Here's a guide to the workings of the public protector who protected JZ in this case as is required by ANC law.

 

[Ronjay]

No surprise. The President could take a dump right in parliament and there would be no consequences.

 

[blunomore]

Zuma's office said confusion about whom the president should approach for permission to accept gifts worth more than R1 000 had contributed to his inability to meet the deadline.

But surely he has "people" to do these menial administrative tasks for him ... ? He's the PRESIDENT!

In fact, I would think he would have a topnotch staff complement and he should not even be aware of these issues .. it ought to have been done by some lackey.

Or not ?

 

[Ady]

Geez the rot runs deep!