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“Answer the question! Answer the question!” EFF MPs chanted as President Jacob Zuma appeared in the National Assembly today.
While Zuma answered some of the questions, he sidestepped and completely ignored others. It was business as usual for Parliament as Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema insisted on calling Zuma “Baba ka Duduzane” (Duduzane’s father), the EFF interrupted proceedings several times before being forced to leave, and other MPs were reprimanded by speaker Baleka Mbete for making “cat sounds”. But several hours and countless points of order later, Zuma finally finished answering all the questions put to him.
Here are some of the Zuma’s best (and worst) responses – none of these quotes came from his prepared answers; they were all made off the cuff:
“I’ve never sat in a meeting and asked anyone to help Duduzane. Never.” – When asked about his son Duduzane’s business ventures and about an affidavit by Public Service and Administration chief director Brent Simmons in which it is alleged that Zuma lied to Parliament when he said he had never introduced members of his family to government officials and ministers for business purposes.
“I don’t know if people are playing politics‚ people say things every day about President Zuma in this country. Should I spend every day taking everybody to court who say a lot of things about me.” – On why he was not taking Simmons to court for his claims
“I don’t take action in court against people like yourself.” – In response to Malema who asked why Zuma doesn’t take action against people who make allegations against him.
“I am not a lawyer and was not involved in the immunity decision.” – On Grace Mugabe being granted diplomatic immunity after allegedly assaulting model Gabriella Engels in Sandton
“SAA has never been on top of the world. It had challenges long before the people working there got there.” – On the state of South African Airways, who’s board chairperson Dudu Myeni is his “close associate”
“There is progress that has been made. It is not truth that the NDP is a failure. Poor people agree that we have made progress.” – On dealing with the issue of poverty in South Africa
“It’s bad in all countries, even in those where ministers haven’t been changed. You can’t pin down the economic position in South Africa to the removal of a minister. In other countries, economies are down without removing ministers. I’m correcting you. It’s not a magic wand that once you remove a minister the economy goes down.” – On whether his reshuffling of ministers had an effect on the economy.
“I’m not firing minister Muthambi‚ I have not taken that decision.” – In response to a question about Communications Minister Faith Muthambi’s role in the poor state of the SABC
