The DA regards a decision by the IFP to table a Motion for Debate in the KZN Legislature today on the issue of a Guard of Honour for the Zulu Monarch as a cheap attempt to score political points.
The Motion comes after a decision by KZN’s Rules Committee that the King should not receive this privilege at the official Legislature opening. This, on the basis that it is unconstitutional and that only selected dignitaries, such as the President, can be ushered in with such ceremony.
That the IFP is now raising its concern over this amendment in the form of a party Motion is opportunistic and hypocritical.
The IFP, along with all other KZN Legislature political parties, had several earlier opportunities to discuss the proposed amendments in a democratic manner at Rules committee meetings. The IFP was represented at these meetings yet chose not participate. Yet it now wants to grand stand in a bid to gain public sympathy, using the Monarch as a political pawn to achieve its own political agenda.
The DA supported the amendments to the Rules on the basis that;
• They are principally based on current legislation and the legality of the event, which is clear and unambiguous that the Guard of Honour in its present format is unconstitutional and;
• The Constitution is a living document that can and has been amended. The IFP is represented in the National Assembly at the relevant legislative arm that can make proposed amendments to the Constitution. All other parties agreed that if the IFP feels strongly about this matter, it should make a proposal in Parliament to amend the Constitution.
The IFP Motion in fact calls for the Premier and her cabinet to undermine the current Constitution by adding the Guard of Honour to the Ministerial Handbook. This is unacceptable.
Even the IFP’s wording of its own Motion notes the fact that it is unconstitutional. It is the IFP that is undermining uBukhosi – not the amendments made by the Rules Committee – passed and adopted by this House with a majority.
If the IFP was truly committed to the Zulu King’s best interests, todays debate would be about the development of a self-sustainability model to ensure the financial future of the Monarch and the Royal Household. It would be about building a sustainable tourist program, promoting the history of the King and the Zulu nation and creating a commercial enterprise model around agriculture.
The practice of using the Legislature to score cheap political points, particularly when it comes to the Monarch, must stop. Not only is today’s Motion divisive and opportunistic, it opens up unnecessary public debate and adds to the confusion surrounding the Monarch.
The IFP clearly has its own agenda which involves pushing a particular narrative – in this case calling for the impossible in a desperate attempt to remain relevant and portray itself as the only party that cares about the Zulu nation.
The IFP needs to stop behaving as though it is the sole custodian of the Zulu Monarch. The King belongs to the Zulu nation, not the IFP.
The DA respects and will continue to support the King as we have always done. We will not, however, support anything that seeks to undermine the Constitution of our country.