The Congress of the People (Cope) on Thursday called for the “dissolution of the present Parliament”‚ saying “an early election will help to restore dignity and sanity in the house”.
“Cope calls on all opposition parties to withdraw from Parliament and not to legitimise it nor allow a president who has broken his oath of office to find acceptance within its hallowed chamber‚” said party spokesman Dennis Bloem.
“It is very clear that the ruling party is hell-bent in continuing to disrespect the Constitution and the rule of law.
“They will do everything in their power to defend a discredited individual who is occupying the top office in the land.”
Bloem’s comments come ahead of President Jacob Zuma’s expected appearance in the National Assembly to take questions on the budget vote for the Presidency that he presented on Wednesday.
That appearance was disrupted when members of the Economic Freedom Fighters were forcibly removed from the chamber when they prevented Zuma from speaking.
“The forced removal of the EFF from Parliament…is very distressing‚” Bloem said.
“For opposition parties to remain and participate in parliamentary activities makes them guilty also of undermining the ConCourt judgment.”
This was a reference to the Constititional Court’s finding that “Zuma broke his oath of office” with regards his actions on the public protector’s report into spending on his Nkandla home.
“Parliament has done nothing to act against him for this very serious violation of the Constitution‚” Bloem said.
“The national interest will be best served through opposition parties withdrawing from parliament and working for the dissolution of the present parliament.
“That will enable voters in our country to decide on the best way forward. An early election will help to restore dignity and sanity in the house.”
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