President Jacob Zuma attended his final parliamentary question and answer session for 2017 on Thursday afternoon. As expected, it was not very enlightening; Zuma was as evasive as ever in answering the important questions. But Twitter kept it entertaining, The Daily Vox rounded up Twitter reactions.
South Africa has been through the most this year with the Cabinet reshuffles, delaying the commission of inquiry into state capture, and various other allegations of corruption. So Twitter was awaiting the tea.
Msholozi preparing for today’s session
📹christothurston pic.twitter.com/zqQPND4XjM
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) November 2, 2017
‘UBaba’ had a lot to answer for and some of the questions up for the discussion was the appointment of a National Commissioner for South African Police Services, rising poverty levels and allegations of corruption.
Questions for President Zuma in the National Assembly today for #ZumaQandA. Each question has 4 unscripted supplementary questions from MPs. pic.twitter.com/v7xESKNqt4
— Lester Kiewit (@lesterkk) November 2, 2017
Folk on Twitter weren’t expecting Zuma to utter any groundbreaking truths – especially in the absence of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
the president and not answering direct questions #ZumaQandA pic.twitter.com/QYtMEKK6dR
— Tenyeko Baloyi (@Tenyeko_Baloyi) November 2, 2017
Mr President avoid answering questions in parliament and giggle like a school girl #ZumaQandA #BlackTwitterZA pic.twitter.com/YpqO1OmKN3
— IG @Adv Ishmael Z A (@HlaleleMothwane) November 2, 2017
Boring without EFF, zuma will just giggle and not answer a single question #ZumaQandA
— juvie (@juvie_rasego) November 2, 2017
The EFF was not in session. Instead, its members and leadership picketed outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria to show solidarity with Palestine. Thursday marked the 100-year anniversary of the Balfour Declaration – a letter that led to the birth of the state of Israel.
EFF leadership has arrived at the EFF picket against Israel. pic.twitter.com/h54cMJ9urh
— Rumana Akoob (@RumanaAkoob) November 2, 2017
First on anyone’s mind was investigative journalist Jacques Pauw’s latest book The President’s Keeper which delves into various allegations of corruption against Zuma. For instance it alleges that he had not submitted his tax returns for four years since he was elected in 2009.
Zuma responded and said he didn’t think his job was to answer to books. He also said he didn’t receive monies from anyone other than those disclosed.
Maimane; ‘Is President willing to table his 2009 financial declarations?’
Zuma; “I don’t think my job is to answer books†#ZumaQandA— Thulasizwe Simelane (@ThulasSims) November 2, 2017
Zuma: I did not receive any payment from any individuals or companies during my tenure as President, other than those disclosed. #ZumaQandA
— Lester Kiewit (@lesterkk) November 2, 2017
The records state otherwise.
Jacob Zuma just lied to Parliament again. Blatantly. There are bank and tax records proving this. But who will retrieve them? #ZumaQandA
— Max du Preez (@MaxduPreez) November 2, 2017
Freedom Front Plus’s Pieter Groenewald passionately appealed to the president to take action against the prevalence of farm murders in the country. Groenewald said farmers’ testicles are being cut off, cooked and eaten.
#ZumaQandA ‘Cut their testicles and eat them’. The cameraman is boss! pic.twitter.com/wk5PNoaHMt
— justLwanda (@JustLwanda) November 2, 2017
Our people are hungry, Groenwald says they are killing white people and frying their testicles for consumption.Upi uSASSA bafethu #ZumaQandA
— Lukhanyo Vangqa (@LukhanyoV) November 2, 2017
The president said he supported and empathised with people affected with crime, and that apartheid was responsible for most of it. People were unconvinced.
Zuma says no one is born a criminal but the social setup that contribute to criminality. #ZumaQandA
— Neo Motloung (@NeoMotloung_) November 2, 2017
Zuma “we empathize with people who are affected by crime” – but you are a criminal and a corrupt president. #ZumaQandA
— Zola Ndwandwe (@ZolaNdwandwe) November 2, 2017
Zuma also said poverty is an apartheid problem when asked about the increasing poverty levels in South Africa and the looting of state resources.
As expected, President Zuma proved once again what a skilled politician he is by avoiding the important questions and harping on about how competent the African National Congress is.
Quick summary of how #ZumaQandA will go:
Parliament: “President Zuma, can you please explain how y—”
Zuma: pic.twitter.com/W1nZhElbSl
— mbappé ka sithayi (@comradesipho) November 2, 2017
