Zuma gunning for the constitution

[LazyLion]

Constitution not static: Presidency

The Constitution is not a static document and can be amended in accordance with the spirit it conveys, the presidency said on Friday.

"There is nothing untoward about referring to wishes to amend any part of the Constitution by any political leader or political party," spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"The Constitutional Court, as the custodian of our Constitution, is entrusted with the power of judicial review, through which it can declare invalid any amendment which is not in accordance with the Constitution and the law, and which is in contravention of the rule of law which is a pillar of our democracy."

Some opposition parties expressed concern after media reports that President Jacob Zuma spoke of possible changes to the Constitution at the African National Congress's anniversary celebrations in KaNyamazane, near Nelspruit.

"We want a huge majority this time because we want to change certain things that couldn't be changed with a small majority so that we move forward because there are certain hurdles," Zuma was quoted as saying by The Times.

"People talk about a Constitution they have never seen. We saw that Constitution," he reportedly told hundreds of supporters.

Maharaj said: "The Constitution is not static. It is a transformative document. The Constitution has been amended 18 times since the advent of our democracy in 1994."

Some of the amendments were aimed at strengthening the independence of the judiciary and the advancement of the rule of law, for example.

On Thursday, Freedom Front Plus parliamentary leader Pieter Groenewald said changing the Constitution was an important aspect of any election and he requested clarity on what aspects of the Constitution Zuma wanted changed.

"If he does not disclose this information, he is being dishonest with voters, and he appears to be a threatened leader who wants to make changes to the Constitution just to protect his own position," he said.

Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said: "While it is a living document and should from time to time be amended to reflect the needs of South Africans, such a process should not be taken lightly and, most importantly, cannot be used as an election ploy."


Source : Sapa /mjs/ar/cls
Date : 10 Jan 2014 16:12

 

[abandonallhope]

What Captain Nkandla fails to understand, is that the Constitution belongs to the citizens.

That has always been a foreign concept and imperialist tendency in Africa.

Bloody agents brought that to prosperous Africa.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Again I do not support the FF+, but they really do throw the truth out into the public.

On Thursday, Freedom Front Plus parliamentary leader Pieter Groenewald said changing the Constitution was an important aspect of any election and he requested clarity on what aspects of the Constitution Zuma wanted changed.

"If he does not disclose this information, he is being dishonest with voters, and he appears to be a threatened leader who wants to make changes to the Constitution just to protect his own position," he said.

They will probably change our Flag again into their own party colours...

 

[OrbitalDawn]

I think the Zuma faction was strong and kicked out Mbeki who, IMO, still had and has integrity.
Mbeki made serious errors in judgement around HIV and this gave the Zuma faction what it needed to topple him.
The strength behind Zuma's ascension has broken down though and scattered and many previous allies have become critical and disillusioned with him. I hope I'm right anyway! The ANC will remain in power for some time to come still and the only real hope we have is that the rot can be cut out and removed though I admit I've no idea who it would be to do this, Some young up and coming cadres hopefully...

Factionalism being more important than actual governance is part of the rot, imo. It's intrinsic. All parties will struggle with it, I reckon, but the ANC has shown time and again how they place their own well-being above that of the nation, and often at the expense of the nation.

 

[Zenbaas]

Factionalism being more important than actual governance is part of the rot, imo. It's intrinsic. All parties will struggle with it, I reckon, but the ANC has shown time and again how they place their own well-being above that of the nation, and often at the expense of the nation.

The only way you will believe that the anc is a "salvageable" organisation is if you are in denial. It would take a person to stand up against the corruption, maladministration and sheer uselessness which would mean many heads will roll. The people in the anc will never allow this to happen however because they are too comfortable with their hands in the cookie jar. People like Themba unfortunately vote based on colour as do many others in the country. In that sense people like malema have succeeded in their white versus black bull**** propaganda. A rainbow nation we are not. I love the culture I have with my friends and that we don't give a crap about any of that. I would still say it's the exception and not the norm unfortunately.

 

[Jings]

Sad how Zuma and his ilk display a condescending attitude towards our fellow citizens. Creating situations where people grapple each other over a morsel of KFC or free t-shirt, collapsing the education system, forcing economic oppression. The list goes on.

Bit by bit people are being stripped of their dignity while Zuma fulfills his self interest, destroying the legacy that Nelson Mandela sacrificed so much to build.

Zuma should be given enough rope so that he can hang himself (figuratively, of course ).

 

[marine1]

This is why I'll vote ANC until I die, because there are still people who think like this in SA.

And this is why SA will never be what it could be. Clearly you are voting for a party that will continue to destroy this country and you think thats acceptable?
That would be like me voting for the NP under Apartheid, which I did not. My family always voted against them I guess this shows our level of intelligence compared to you and shows our true feeling towards making this place a better place to live unlike you. But you go vote ANC. Its a vote for corruption, crime, etolls, no jobs, racial discrimination, pathetic education system, corrupt police, dysfunctional army oh and did I mention corruption?

 

[marine1]

I don't know about that but I know that the ANC will not bring back apartheid.

Zuma is not the ANC, the ANC is not Zuma. Don't use the actions of an individual to define a movement that has been in existence for more than 100 years...

Keep believing that.
What you dont seem to realise is you are going to suffer under ANC rule the likes of which you have never seen.

 

[Adenoid Hynkel]

We can talk and argue as much as we want, yet we are not changing anything. How about we start concentrating on how to develop a strategy pointing out all these flaws, but instead we argue about the economy from 20 years ago. Past tense, we need to focus on the future.

Whoever is voting for the ANC doesn't know better. They get fed lies and have to deal with political attacks within the townships.