Zuma Can't Lose Perks as Former President, Says Legal Expert
- Former president Jacob Zuma cannot lose his post-presidential benefits as it is protected by the Constitution
- Zuma will continue to receive his perks as a former head of state unless legislative changes are made
- A Constitutional Law expert spoke about post-presidential benefits and what would have to happen for it to change
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Constitutional Law expert Pierre De Vos has explained that former president Jacob Zuma cannot lose his post-presidential benefits. The benefits received by Zuma as a former head of state are protected by the Constitution.
De Vos says that sitting presidents can be impeached in terms of Section 89 of the Constitution and all benefits are then taken away. Zuma is not a sitting president and therefore cannot be impeached.
The only other way to stop JZ from receiving benefits would be to revise, legislatively, the benefits received by former presidents.
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Speaking to eNCA, De Vos explained that the legislative changes mentioned above could solely focus on Zuma but some would argue that F.W. de Klerk should be affected too.
A 2019 report by Times Live stated that JZ's post-presidential benefits include a guaranteed salary for life that which stands at around R3 million a year. It includes other perks such as a security detail.
Zuma has been overtaking headlines countrywide after his refusal to comply with a Constitutional court order to attend the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. Briefly.co.za reported that the former president announced that he would rather go to prison than cooperate with the State Capture Commission.
The leader of ActionSA, Herman Mashaba believes that Zuma should be stripped of his privileges as a former South African president. Mashaba along with many other frustrated South Africans shared posts online about their feelings towards JZ and the State Capture.
Zuma may be receiving a lot of hate from the majority of SAns but the uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) has shown its undying support for him. Zuma released a statement on Monday where he went on to say that the commission is targeting him as the Apartheid regime had done with Robert Sobukwe. MKMVA has stated that they agree with the former president.
Ace Magashule has also come out in support of the former president. It was reported that Magashule does not believe that Zuma's ANC membership should be suspended for what he believes in.
He said that Zuma has rights as a citizen and can do whatever he wants to.
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Source: Briefly News
