Zuma returns to parliament to face MPs' questions this week

31 October 2017 - 15:32
By Thabo Mokone
President Jacob Zuma delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town, South Africa February 9, 2017. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham
President Jacob Zuma delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town, South Africa February 9, 2017. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham

President Jacob Zuma is due to return to the national assembly chamber for his last oral question-and-answer session of the year on Thursday‚ 2 November.

And it’s likely going to be another awkward encounter with members of parliament for Zuma‚ as opposition legislators have lined up a few difficult questions for the President.

While ANC MPs are scheduled to ask Zuma about climate change‚ poverty alleviation and his Presidential Infrastructure Commission‚ opposition MPs have some more pointed questions for him on burning issues currently in the public discourse.

Leading the charge will be DA leader Mmusi Maimane‚ who wants Zuma to explain the total costs the presidency has incurred since May 2009 in relation to his legal battle over the NPA’s decision to drop charges relating to 783 counts of fraud‚ corruption and racketeering‚ which has since been deemed irrational by various superior courts.

Zuma denies failing to submit tax returns 

Freedom Front PLUS MP Pieter Groenewald will seek to hold Zuma accountable on his non-appointment of a permanent National Commissioner of the South African Police Service‚ a position that has been vacant for several months now‚ following the axing of former police chief Riah Phiyega in June this year‚ after she spent a protracted period on suspension.

Then Congress of the People’s Deidre Carter will have her bite of the cherry‚ probing the president’s views on the “Unburdening Panel” reports of the SA Council of Churches‚ and another one by a panel of academics entitled “Betrayal of the Promise: How the Nation is Being Stolen“.

The two separate reports investigated various allegations of the capture of certain key state institutions under Zuma’s leadership.