‘Don’t threaten us’: Presidency turns nasty in defence of Dlamini-Zuma

The office of the presidency has responded fiercely to a letter sent by two prominent attorneys, which questioned the Constitutional validity of the National Command Council. The NCC, lead by COGTA Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, have been accused of undermining President Ramaphosa and his lockdown measures.

You know the script by now: NDZ has been largely blamed for playing fast and loose with lockdown regulations, culminating in the reversal of a decision to put cigarettes back on sale. The abrupt turn in policy left a sour taste in many mouths and forced advocates Nazeer Cassim and Erin Dianne Richards (through RHK Attorneys) to officially question what the NCC is legally allowed to do.

Is the NCC Constitutional? Presidency issues fierce response

It took the best part of a week, but Ramaphosa and his team published a response on Tuesday. It certainly wasn’t lacking in snark or venom, belittling the legal professionals and throwing a wave of support behind Dlamini-Zuma. The president also singled out the minister for praise at a press conference in KZN.

“Regulations in the National Disaster Act make clear that the minister responsible for cooperative governance is responsible for the implementation of alert levels and recommendations of the Cabinet, in consultation with fellow members. Minister Dlamini-Zuma is not ‘interfering’ with anyone’s work.”

“We now invite your clients to constructively suggest alternatives rather than threaten us with litigation… There are unfortunately a number of trite principles of our democracy we feel we’ve had to set out for you, given the contents of your letter. Nothing in the National Disaster Act deprives anyone else of their powers.”

Office of the presidency

Dlamini-Zuma gets full presidential backing… again

You can put the claws away now, Cyril. The strongly-worded letter has comprehensively expressed unity within government, despite the NCC causing Ramaphosa a few operational issues. However, the ANC are determined to take collective responsibility for all the successes and failures of lockdown.

#NationalCommandCouncil [READ] Here is the response from the Presidency to Richards and Cassim. It says there are no rules which exist to direct cabinet on how it organises its work to ensure the best possible coordination of its members. pic.twitter.com/kmTy6eKtvd

— Ziyanda N (@ZiyandaNgcobo) May 5, 2020