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Vote with your conscience, civil society urges MPs in motion against Zuma

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President Jacob Zuma. Picture: Deaan Vivier/Netwerk24
President Jacob Zuma. Picture: Deaan Vivier/Netwerk24

Civil society organisations have entered the fray ahead of the motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma scheduled for August 8.

Under the banner of the Parliamentary Watch alliance, 37 civil society organisations have written an open letter calling for members of Parliament (MPs) to vote with their conscience.

Zukiswa Kota, speaking on behalf of the group, said Parliament had frequently failed to live up to the constitutional obligations of representing the public.

Kota said Parliament had repeatedly shown a weakness in holding President Jacob Zuma and his Cabinet to account.

“Accountability is the foundation of a representative government. It provides a check on the leadership, ensuring that promises made during election campaigns and through policy priorities are achieved.”

She said MPs needed to be accountable to the people of South Africa.

The group also call on MPs to vote in accordance with their role to represent public views irrespective of political party affiliation.

“According to Parliament Watch the motion of no confidence is an opportunity for MPs to restore the public trust in them, in Parliament and in government.

Parliament Watch encourages members of the public to communicate with MPs to express their views and voice the public’s lack of confidence in the president in the vote of no confidence.

An online platform has been created at representme.co.za for this purpose,” Kota said.

An open letter was also crafted for MPs, she said.

Parliament Watch Press Release by CityPress on Scribd

Parliament Watch is a coalition of civil society, activists and interested stakeholders who engage on a range of strategies to advocate for the speaker and members of parliament to fulfil their mandates, without compromise, in the interest of the country.

Signatories include:

The Dullah Omar Institute;

Equal Education Law Centre;

Public Service Accountability Monitor;

Right2Know Campaign;

Social Justice Coalition;

Women on Farms Project;

Active Citizens Alliance Cape Town;

Alternative Information and Development Centre;

Children’s Radio Foundation;

Community Development Resource Association;

Community Media Trust;

Corruption Watch;

Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution;

EarthLore Foundation;

International Budget Partnership – South Africa;

Isandla Institute;

Justice and Women;

Lawyers for Human Rights;

Lifeline Vaal Triangle;

Ndifuna Ukwazi;

NM & Associates Planners and Designers;

Open Secrets;

Quaker Peace Centre;

Rural Health Advocacy Project;

Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children;

Save our Wilderness;

SaveSA;

Section 27;

Sonke Gender Justice;

South Africa First Forum;

Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme;

Triangle Project;

Trust for Community Outreach and Education;

Umtata Child Abuse Resource Centre;

#UniteBehind;

Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability; and

Women’s Legal Centre.


Msindisi Fengu
Journalist
City Press
p:+27 11 7139001
w:www.citypress.co.za  e: msindisi.fengu@citypress.co.za
      
 
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