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City Press hit the streets to gauge the public’s reaction to the Constitutional Court ruling on Thursday that President Jacob Zuma had failed to uphold and defend the Constitution and keep his oath of office by refusing to comply with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s recommendations.
The court also ruled that some members of Parliament had violated the Constitution and their oath of office by failing to hold President Zuma accountable for the unjustifiable spending on his private compound in Nkandla. We visited the provinces of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape and asked these questions:
(1) How do you feel about the ruling?
(2) What should happen to President Zuma now that the court has found that he violated his oath of office?
(3) Is it enough to just pay back the money?
Shaveena Cloete (27), from Klipheuwel, is a receptionist at the First Car Care Private College in Cape Town, Western Cape.
She says she feels pleased about the Constitutional Court’s ruling.
She believes President Zuma should pay back the money and also quit his job.
“My feeling is that he must step down as president as soon as possible. He is not a good example to the country,” Cloete told City Press.
Simphiwe Ndongeni (21), from Kuils River, is an architectural student at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town, Western Cape. He says that even though he does not follow politics closely, he feels optimistic following this week’s events.
“All in all, South Africa deserves a change.
“We have not seen any improvements under Jacob Zuma.
“The president is in a dilemma.
“I think he realises that he is on his own. His position as a president is precarious and he can lose it at any time.
“Yes, I’m optimistic about what happened.”
Khulumile Mhlongo (70), from Mabhokweni village in Gingindlovu, KwaZulu-Natal, does not understand why South Africans are making a mountain out of a molehill about President Zuma’s home.
“I don’t understand why this is such a big issue. “There was no need for the matter to even reach the highest court in the land because Msholozi has done nothing wrong.
“He built his house, which he would use to retire in. What is the harm in that?
“We all want to live comfortably when we are old and can no longer work. He served his country and he deserves a homestead like this and even more.
“Government has been using millions to build houses for poor people like me, and when Zuma builds his house, people talk. If I were him, I wouldn’t pay this money. I would tell those who want it to come and uproot part of the structure.”
Sandile Mkhize (21), from Mthunzini, KwaZulu-Natal, says the Constitutional Court erred when it ruled that Zuma should pay back some of the money used for the upgrades to his home.
“The president did not squander the money, but he used it to build his home. For the court to say he must pay it back, it’s not right.
“In fact, I think the court wanted to please those who hate Zuma by making this ruling.
“They must leave Zuma alone. They expected him to stay in a modest home when he is president. There must be a difference between an ordinary person’s home and that of a president.
“Zuma must stay in office irrespective of what the court ruling was. He must finish his term and retire at his home.”
Mbuso Thumbathi (33), a public relations specialist and strategic relationships manager in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, says that President Zuma must step down in the wake of the Constitutional Court ruling.
“The Concourt’s finding is a win for South Africa since most people have always believed that Zuma was wrong. It has affirmed my confidence in the judiciary and emphasised the separation of powers between the three arms of state.”
He says that if Zuma resigns, it will show that he respects the people and the country he leads.
“With a heavy heart, the president must show leadership and just leave his office. He has clearly failed to uphold the Constitution. As much as he would like the executive to be given its legal space to operate, he must also show respect to the court.”
Thumbathi says the ANC must decide what comes first, the country or individuals. And three things must be done: pay back the money, resign and apologise.
Mark Swanepoel (34), a manager at a Spar in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, says President Zuma has been dishonest and should immediately step down.
“He has shown us enough of his dishonesty. That money used in Nkandla should have been used for education because the country needs more educated young people to go forward.
“He must know that what he was doing, by not taking the Public Protector seriously, was part of undermining the Constitution of the country.
“For that, he has done the worst thing in a democratic country and should go home.”
Swanepoel feels Zuma must be subjected to some form of punitive action for violating the Constitution.
“Paying back the money is not enough. He should be punished. First he must step down and then be sent to jail.”
He says that Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s office should now be supported more.
“This is the kind of judgment I’ve been wishing for.”
