A group of South African lawyers has joined the lobby trying to force President Jacob Zuma to resign following a damning court ruling that condemned his failure to repay public funds, saying the judgement must be respected.
Advocates for Transformation (AFT), a body representing a diverse group of lawyers and advocates, said attempts to downplay the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court against Zuma were dangerous.
"The AFT wishes to caution public officials to refrain from deliberately misinterpreting the clear words of the court," AFT chairperson Dumisa Ntsebeza said.The Constitutional Court ruled that Zuma had failed to uphold the constitution after he sought to challenge recommendations by the public protector that he should repay millions of dollars used to upgrade his rural home.
"To do so amounts to the criminal offence of contempt of court for which the perpetrators can be committed to prison, more so when it is committed opportunistically and in the full knowledge of the fact that judges are not in a position to defend themselves or their decision in the media and the public domain."
AFT's statements followed different interpretations of the ruling, with some pro-Zuma groups saying the Constitutional Court did not say the president violated the constitution.
Civil society groups, opposition parties and churches have urged Zuma to resign arguing he failed to uphold the constitution.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has stood behind the president but one province broke ranks and demanded that Zuma must resign. Gauteng province said Zuma's actions had damaged the ANC.
Meanwhile, a lobby composed of faith based-organisations, social movements and activists, born on the steps of the Constitutional Court earlier this month, will on Saturday hold the 'People's Consultative Assembly for Democracy' in another effort to force Zuma to resign.
The campaign would be held in one Johannesburg's most populated townships. "This campaign for Zuma to do the right thing and step down will not stop until the head of the rot is removed and when we succeed we will remain vigilant," said Duma Gqubule, spokesperson of the People's Consultative Assembly.
The gathering would coincide with a major rally for the ANC in the Eastern Cape where Zuma would launch the party's manifesto for local government elections set for August.
At least 10 000 people are expected at the manifesto launch, which would set the tone for the campaigns ahead of the August polls.
Africa Report
Advocates for Transformation (AFT), a body representing a diverse group of lawyers and advocates, said attempts to downplay the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court against Zuma were dangerous.
"The AFT wishes to caution public officials to refrain from deliberately misinterpreting the clear words of the court," AFT chairperson Dumisa Ntsebeza said.The Constitutional Court ruled that Zuma had failed to uphold the constitution after he sought to challenge recommendations by the public protector that he should repay millions of dollars used to upgrade his rural home.
"To do so amounts to the criminal offence of contempt of court for which the perpetrators can be committed to prison, more so when it is committed opportunistically and in the full knowledge of the fact that judges are not in a position to defend themselves or their decision in the media and the public domain."
AFT's statements followed different interpretations of the ruling, with some pro-Zuma groups saying the Constitutional Court did not say the president violated the constitution.
Civil society groups, opposition parties and churches have urged Zuma to resign arguing he failed to uphold the constitution.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has stood behind the president but one province broke ranks and demanded that Zuma must resign. Gauteng province said Zuma's actions had damaged the ANC.
Meanwhile, a lobby composed of faith based-organisations, social movements and activists, born on the steps of the Constitutional Court earlier this month, will on Saturday hold the 'People's Consultative Assembly for Democracy' in another effort to force Zuma to resign.
The campaign would be held in one Johannesburg's most populated townships. "This campaign for Zuma to do the right thing and step down will not stop until the head of the rot is removed and when we succeed we will remain vigilant," said Duma Gqubule, spokesperson of the People's Consultative Assembly.
The gathering would coincide with a major rally for the ANC in the Eastern Cape where Zuma would launch the party's manifesto for local government elections set for August.
At least 10 000 people are expected at the manifesto launch, which would set the tone for the campaigns ahead of the August polls.
Africa Report
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