GOOD Statement by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General:
Several institutions have investigated aspects of the pile of Phala Phala cash, its alleged theft, and subsequent events, and have cleared the President of wrongdoing, including the Public Protector, the South African Reserve Bank, and the NPA.
Although the President has been cleared, the investigations have technically left ordinary South Africans without a clearly understandable version of events.
Parliament’s mismanagement of the matter has compounded the secrecy and controversy. First, parliament appointed an independent panel, headed by a former Chief Justice, to probe whether the President had a case to answer. But when the panel recommended the President be impeached, MPs voted to bury the report.
Despite all the investigations, technical processes, explanations, and millions of words expended on the matter, a veil of mystery continues to surround the case. What the GOOD Party said when details of the case first emerged still stands: It was, and is, in the President and the nation’s best interest that he takes South Africans into his confidence.
The Constitutional Court today ordered Parliament to proceed with the impeachment recommended by the Section 89 Independent Panel.
Parliament’s blushes would have been avoided had MPs had the integrity to step out of their binary lanes and adopt the GOOD Party’s compromise motion in December 2022 that parliament accept the report while delaying commencement of impeachment proceedings pending the outcome of the review the President said he would launch.
After ANC MPs voted to bin the report, just days before the ANC elective conference where he went on to retain his party’s presidency, the President presumably saw no need to take the report on review.
The combination of parliamentarians shutting down the report and the President electing not to review it, left the door open for the EFF to approach the Concourt – and now claim the glory of holding the President accountable.
If the President has a complete set of answers to the questions about what transpired on his farm, and after the alleged break in, he has nothing to lose from a parliamentary impeachment process (besides short-term embarrassment) and everything to gain from public transparency. If he is impeached, it will define his legacy.
Either way, the Court’s ruling is yet another setback for public trust in political representatives. The matter will cast a deep shadow over local government elections later this year.
GOOD Manifesto on Economic Policy: Advocating for a mixed economy that supports both private and public sectors.
fatsy bear
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”
Buzzmouse
Boet – brother. This term is usually used in reference to a male friend or companion.Example: “Hey my boet, see you at the game tonight!”