COGTA Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Image: Flickr.
‘What kind of justice is that?’: NDZ slams ANC’s step aside rule
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says the ANC’s step aside rule almost implies that those affected ‘are guilty until proven innocent’
COGTA Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Image: Flickr.
African National Congress (ANC) presidential hopeful, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has become the latest to criticise the party’s contentious step aside policy.
Dlamini-Zuma made remarks during an interview with SABC News just recently.
“Where the problem lies is that the country’s laws say we are innocent until we are proved guilty. The law of the ANC almost says we are guilty until proved innocent.The problem with step aside is that you are charged, and then you step aside, but three years on, you are still waiting for the trial to start. What kind of justice is that? Justice should be they investigate you once they’ve charged you and the trial must start within months ” she told the public broadcaster.
The ANC’s step aside resolution states that a member facing criminal charges, must temporarily vacate office, pending the finalisation of the case against them before the courts. The policy has caused quite a rift between certain members of the party.
NDZ WANTS ANC POLICY AMENDED FOR STEP ASIDE RULE
Without making any examples, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says it is unjust to have trials begin after a number of years, only to have the courts postpone the matter.
“For me, that’s a big problem in all this because if it’s fair and just, charge, get on with the trial and get the person to be cleared or to be found guilty. Then that’s justice. The ANC must stand for justice because if you stand like this, that’s what exacerbates suspicions and divisions.”
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Dlamini-Zuma narrowly lost to the incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa at the party’s 2017 national elective conference in Nasrec.
One person impacted by the ANC’s step aside policy is the party’s embattled secretary-general Ace Magashule, who was suspended due to the multimillion rand fraud corruption case involving him and a dozen other co-accused. This is in relation to a R255 million asbestos tender that was awarded to him when he was Free State Premier.
ALSO READ: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma explains science behind tobacco ban
