Johannesburg – While the ruling party of South Africa, the ANC has called for calm among its members and urged them to respect former President Jacob Jacob Zuma’s decision to hand himself over to serve his 15 months prison sentence, many opposition parties have rejoiced that Zuma is behind bars.
The ruling party reiterated its “unequivocal” commitment to and support for the Constitution.
“The ANC has always restated its unequivocal commitment to and defence of the Constitution, in particular the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary, amongst the founding principles and values of the Republic of South Africa, ” the party said in the statement.
The Inkatha Freedom Party said it noted that Zuma complied with the order from the Constitutional Court.
“The IFP notes that former President Jacob Zuma complied with the Constitutional Court’s order and voluntarily handed himself over to the SAPS late last night,” said Velenkosini Hlabisa, IFP President.
“The IFP reiterates its call to former President Zuma to respect the ruling of the Constitutional Court, the rule of law, and to allow justice to now take its course. The IFP further reiterates its call for calm and restraint in respect of groups of persons supporting former President Zuma that may wish to hold gatherings, as well as compliance with all Covid-19 regulations,” he further stated.
The FF Plus said it welcomed the arrest of the former president.
The party said in a statement: “The FF Plus welcomes the fact that former President Jacob Zuma has turned himself over to the police. He has clearly realised that he no longer has any political power and his initial bravado was just a smokescreen.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether he is going to serve his time in an ordinary prison, like all other ordinary criminals, or whether he will use his medical conditions as an excuse to be held in a hospital.
The fact that Zuma has turned himself in is a victory for South Africa’s police force and judicial system. It, however, does not mean that those who violated the Covid-19 regulations with their mass gathering at Nkandla may get off scot-free.
The organisers of the gathering must still be arrested and prosecuted.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance leader, John Steenhuisen, said, “Zuma’s arrest last night was a small step in the right direction. But the real fight to reclaim our country from predatory politicians who have robbed from the people to enrich themselves and their networks has only just started.”
“We are relieved that his eventual late night arrest went ahead without violence, despite all the bluster and war talk of his supporters and family. However, this doesn’t mean we should not take their threats seriously. Zuma might be behind bars, but the RET gang still has many other senior ANC leaders in its ranks – many of whom still serve in President Ramaphosa’s cabinet or occupy ANC benches in the National Assembly and other legislatures – and their fightback is guaranteed,” he further stated.
EFF leader, Julias Malema, simply tweeted the following in response to the events that have unfolded in the past two days:
No constitutional court is meeting bloody fakes. Mxm
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) July 7, 2021
The descendants of Jan Van Riebeeck are happy. 😞 pic.twitter.com/MYT2YBzHcp
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) July 7, 2021
Also read: Jacob Zuma surrenders to police to serve prison sentence
Zuma spends night in Estcourt Correctional Centre, ANC calls for calm
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