In this file photo, former South African president Jacob Zuma waves as he arrives to declare his HIV negative status during the launch of the HIV Counselling and Testing Campaign held at Natalspruit Hospital, in Katlehong, on 25 April 2010. Photo: ELMOND JIYANE ? AFP
Update: ‘Sickly’ Jacob Zuma will not attend SONA 2020
Parliament made the announcement on Twitter.
In this file photo, former South African president Jacob Zuma waves as he arrives to declare his HIV negative status during the launch of the HIV Counselling and Testing Campaign held at Natalspruit Hospital, in Katlehong, on 25 April 2010. Photo: ELMOND JIYANE ? AFP
In the midst of uncertainty around the health of former president Jacob Zuma, Parliament has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s predecessor will be in attendance at this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
UPDATE: Parliament has since issued a statement on Twitter, claiming that the announcement of Zuma’s attendance was an error. A more detailed statement will be released later, Parliament added.
In confirming list of former Presidents who have confirmed attendance of #SONA, an earlier tweet erroneously included Former President Jacob Zuma. The confirmation was premature; an accurate update will be given later today. The error is regretted. https://t.co/hCjPtzVFNZ
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 12, 2020
Parliament claims Jacob Zuma will attend SONA 2020
Last-minute preparations have kicked off in Parliament only hours before Ramaphosa delivers his third SONA. Dignitaries from across the global political sphere will make their way into Parliament on Thursday 13 February to hear what plans Ramaphosa and his administration have for a country experiencing stagnant growth.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will be keen to find out about the future of Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. Interestingly, the Red Berets — led by Julius Malema — have threatened to disrupt SONA proceedings, but the news of Zuma’s return to Parliament might just give them the impetus they need to do so.
On Wednesday morning, Parliament announced that for the first time in three years, all three former heads of state — Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma — will be in attendance at SONA 2020.
Former President #ThaboMbeki will attend #SONA2020. @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa @GCISMedia @TMFoundation_ pic.twitter.com/jld6ofDgmf
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 12, 2020
Former President Kgalema Motlanthe will attend #SONA2020 @KMotlantheFDN @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa @GCISMedia @SAgovnews pic.twitter.com/RXwoKOZwxy
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 12, 2020
Former @PresidentJZUMA will attend #SONA2020! @GCISMedia pic.twitter.com/5fHw3asYu5
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 12, 2020
The appearance of Zuma has stood out as the most controversial SONA announcement thus far. After all, was he not in Cuba receiving medical treatment for a serious illness?
The confirmation of his attendance has raised serious questions about his defence in the controversial Arms Deal case, as well as his involvement in allegations made at the State Capture Inquiry.
How a sick note bought Zuma more time
Zuma’s money laundering court case has been hampered by several delays.
On 4 February, the Pietermaritzburg High Court was forced to postpone the Arms Deal matter to Wednesday 6 May after the former president’s attorney, Advocate Dan Mantsha, submitted a medical certificate claiming Zuma was too sick to make an appearance.
The contents of the medical certificate, signed by a Dr ZK Motene from a military hospital in Pretoria, have been the subject of scrutiny and both the prosecutors and the defence have been tasked with verifying the certificate’s claims.
In the meantime, a warrant of arrest has been issued to Zuma. However, the court made it clear that the warrant was stayed, pending his appearance on 6 May.
The former president has also been at loggerheads with the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. In January, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo heard from Zuma’s attorneys that he was not able to appear before the commission before March due to ongoing health complications that were being overseen by medical experts in Cuba.
This forced the commission to halt its summons notice which sought to compel Zuma to appear between 27 and 31 January.
When last was Zuma in Parliament?
However, despite Parliament’s confirmation, it remains to be seen if Msholozi will indeed honour the invite to SONA 2020 with an appearance. Surely, this announcement will ruffle feathers in the cases he is involved in.
If indeed he does show face, this will be the first time Zuma’s put foot inside Parliament since he was forced out of his presidency between late 2017 and early 2018.
