Quote of the week
Universal adult suffrage on a common voters roll is one of the foundational values of our entire constitutional order. The achievement of the franchise has historically been important both for the acquisition of the rights of full and effective citizenship by all South Africans regardless of race, and for the accomplishment of an all-embracing nationhood. The universality of the franchise is important not only for nationhood and democracy. The vote of each and every citizen is a badge of dignity and of personhood. Quite literally, it says that everybody counts. In a country of great disparities of wealth and power it declares that whoever we are, whether rich or poor, exalted or disgraced, we all belong to the same democratic South African nation; that our destinies are intertwined in a single interactive polity.
August and Another v Electoral Commission and Others (CCT8/99) [1999] ZACC 3
CASAC welcomes President Zuma’s announcement
CASAC Media Statement
24 October 2011
President Zuma acts on corruption
The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) applauds President Zuma’s dismissal of Gwen Mahlangu Nkabinde and Sicelo Shiceka from Cabinet. We believe that the President has acted appropriately in responding to the reports of the Public Protector regarding the misdemeanours by these two former Ministers.
We also welcome the immediate suspension of the National Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele, and the appointment of a Board of Inquiry in terms of the South African Police Service Act to investigate his role in the leasing of premises for the SA Police Service.
We note the composition of the commission of enquiry under Judge Willie Seriti to conduct the investigation into matters relating to the arms deal. We await the announcement of the terms of reference for that enquiry and trust that these will allow for a comprehensive investigation.
CASAC has consistently called for a zero tolerance approach to corruption and unethical conduct, and urges all South Africans to “Red Card Corruption”. We will continue to lobby for the strengthening of our anti-corruption arsenal by establishing a truly independent anti-corruption agency that will be adequately resourced to fight corruption on all fronts.
Enquiries:
Lawson Naidoo – 073 158 5736
Masutane Modjadji – 076 937 0825
