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Cape Town. — President Jacob Zuma yesterday condemned the recent spate of attacks on foreign nationals and their businesses in Soweto, Johannesburg, and other areas. Responding in Parliament to debate on his State of the Nation address, Zuma noted that spaza shops and other small township businesses were disappearing, and needed support.
“The recent tragic and unacceptable incidents of violence and looting of shops of foreign nationals in Soweto are a reminder of the need to support local entrepreneurs and eliminate possibilities for criminal elements to exploit local frustrations.
“As said before, we condemn attacks on foreign nationals and there can be no justification for that type of conduct in any community in our country,” he said.
The SA president urged the parliamentary opposition to remain “cool”, but extended an olive branch to the EFF in the form of a rare compliment to its leader Julius Malema.
“What(ever) our views are about one another or political parties that we represent, we need to preserve the dignity of Parliament,” he said in his response to the debate on his State of the Nation address.
“Among ourselves, even if we differ, I see no reason why we should get angry. What for? This is not war.
“Once you are angry the capacity to think gets affected. I always believe you must always remain cool and calm.”
When he responded to points raised by MPs during the debate, Zuma said Malema had done well by raising his concerns about temporary workers.
“I must also commend Honourable Malema for really dealing with the State of the Nation address. Because he did just what is wanted, our debate, our views in this democracy, to be expressed here properly and with respect.”
In contrast, Zuma appeared to be admonishing Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane when he urged the opposition to “play the ball and not the man”.
Maimane had in his speech told Zuma he was “not an honourable man” and had “broken” the country by allowing riot police to be sent into the National Assembly to forcibly remove the EFF. This was after Malema repeatedly said the president had a duty to say when he would repay money misspent on his Nkandla home.
Malema on Tuesday said he would again press the issue on 11 March, when Zuma is due to answer questions in the National Assembly.
Zuma stressed the ANC was not easily slighted and did not bother to respond to insults if they were devoid of truth.
“The insults that were thrown at us today were thrown all the time. And I will deal with the matter when I answer questions next week.” — Sapa.
Online Reporter