Former Pres. Jacob Zuma’s sudden visit to Russia, apparently to undergo medical examinations, was met with great suspicion from some quarters.
ActionSA says Zuma should not try to avoid accountability and his possible return to prison.
RNews earlier reported that the former president’s visit to Russia comes in the same week that the Constitutional Court dismissed, with costs, the Department of Correctional Services’ (DKD) application for leave to appeal against a court decision that Zuma must go back to prison. .
“It is extremely suspicious that ex-pres. A day after the Constitutional Court ruled that he must return to the Estcourt correctional center to complete his prison sentence, Zuma apparently fled to Russia to seek medical help,” says Herman Mashaba, president of ActionSA.
According to Mashaba, Zuma has long used the same Stalingrad tactics, such as taking interim legal steps or citing medical reasons, to avoid answering questions at the state capture inquiry or going to prison as the courts have ruled.
“As a party that believes in the rule of law, ActionSA asks that the ruling of the Constitutional Court be upheld and that South African law enforcers take the necessary steps to ensure that Zuma does not escape accountability.
“We cannot allow Zuma to be treated differently from other South Africans by repeatedly evading legal processes and undermining constitutional democracy.”
Mashaba says South Africa’s legal system has become one of the last remaining independent bodies that uphold the law.
“So no one should be allowed to undermine it. ActionSA believes that threats of violence due to our legal processes must be dealt with decisively.
“ActionSA will continue to monitor events regarding Pres. To monitor Zuma’s arrest to ensure that South African legislation is complied with. We will not hesitate to take additional steps,” says Mashaba.
