LIVE: Zuma will have to repay state if he loses case - Ramaphosa

2018-03-14 14:54

President Cyril Ramaphosa is answering questions in the National Assembly during his first oral question and answer session since being elected as the head of state.

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his inaugural S

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Last Updated at 17:42

The House is now adjourned.

Agang SA member Andries Tlouamma wants to know if NPA head Shaun Abrahams can step aside.

Ramaphosa says the minister will be dealing with the matter as they await for the court outcome

Ramaphosa says he recused himself from the decision-making process that saw Sifiso Dabengwa appointed to the Eskom board

Ramaphosa: We must admit that over time confidence in the NPA has waned

With effective leadership, with a more stable institutional environment and with our support as leaders, I am certain that they will be able, once again, to undertake their important responsibilities with purpose and distinction.

Ramaphosa says there are a number of people in the NPA who have integrity, are specialists and conduct their work efficiently and effectively

The matter of the position of the National Director of Public Prosecutions is currently before the courts.

We will continue to do what we can to ensure that the matter is speedily resolved in the interests of justice, the rule of law and fairness.

Ramaphosa: NPA must be able to undertake their mandate without any fear, favour and prejudice

Last question now:

Ramaphosa says there was a great deal of confidence in what was outlined

They are looking forward to engaging with us

Ramaphosa: I have no doubt in my mind that we will find solutions

#Ramaphosa I had a wonderful exchange with Traditional Leaders. The engagement was fruitful, it was an engaging process. Our new minister of COGTA was also there and listened very carefully to the issues raised. #RamaphosaQandA
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

#Ramaphosa I am confident that the concerns of traditional leaders can be addressed without the need for a constitutional amendment. #RamaphosaQandA
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

Ramaphosa: Traditional leaders are a strong part of our body politic

Government has worked with traditional leaders to develop a common approach to the powers, role and functions of traditional leadership

We are committed to ongoing engagement on the legislative framework on traditional leadership.

#Ramaphosa As I said during the opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders last month, we will continue to ensure that our Constitution and the laws passed by our people remain effective in supporting and adapting this institution to better serve our citizens.
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

Ramaphosa: The institution of traditional leadership is a fundamental part of South Africa’s constitutional democracy

Question 5 now:

#Ramaphosa Apartheid colonialism when it came to mining led to a complete disregard to those living near the mines and those communities were not seen as partners. #RamaphosaQandA
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

Ramaphosa says the partners who arrive at this charter are going to have to be willing to implement it

The new Mining Charter to be finalised should be able to hold us in good stead

#Ramaphosa Mining in the most part is bust and boom. Are there other industries that would be better placed to yield that. #RamaphosaQandA
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

#Ramaphosa The risks and dangers are something we need to examine. Its my view it's better to rely on people who have a huge appetite for risk. #RamaphosaQandQ
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

#Ramaphosa It could be tempting to think that companies that seem to make a lot of profit could be nationalized. What comes with that is the burden to capitalise those companies. #RamaphosaQandA
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

Ramaphosa asks do we have as a nation the appetite for risk to pour billions of money into mines

Ndlozi wants to know if consideration will be given to nationalise those mines

The EFF's Mbuyiseni Ndlozi wants to know if mines who don't comply with the mining charter will be punished

We have a minister who knows the industry, who understands miners and has worked underground. Let's give him the opportunity to go throughout the country to engage various managers to assess what needs to be done.

Ramaphosa: The mining industry has a history of inequity and exploitation. @Fin24 @teamNews24 #RamaphosaQandA
— lameez omarjee (@LameezOmarjee) March 14, 2018

Ramaphosa: New Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has hit the ground running

Ramaphosa says govt and stakeholders of the mining industry will renegotiate the mining charter. @Fin24 @teamNews24 #RamaphosaQandA
— lameez omarjee (@LameezOmarjee) March 14, 2018

The South African mining industry needs to be attractive to investors through a Mining Charter that offers certainty, stability and a clear transformational path

The fundamental transformation of the ownership and management of the mining industry is necessary not only to promote equity, but also to enable the industry to develop in a sustainable and inclusive manner

#Ramaphosa It needs to fundamentally change the living conditions of affected communities and ensure that they are active participants in the process of transformation. #RamaphosaQandA
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

Government will engage with stakeholders in the mining industry to develop a new Mining Charter

Mining's contribution to GDP represents almost 60% of exports

Ramaphosa: I view the mining industry as a sunrise industry

Question 4 now:

#Ramaphosa It is advice that is being offered to us to have a discussion with former President Jacob Zuma to withdraw the appeal. #RamaphosaQandA
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

#Ramaphosa We entered this agreement with good faith with the understanding that as he contracts with the state and, in the case that he loses the case, he pays back the money. We did not sign a guarantee. #RamaphosaQandA
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) March 14, 2018

#RamaphosaQandA: "That is being presidential," says Malema to Ramaphosa's commitment to get back to him. "Date and time," shout some of Malema's colleagues. @TeamNews24
— Paul Herman (@PaulHermanCPT) March 14, 2018

#RamaphosaQandA: Ramaphosa clarifies and says they focussed on Zuma's agreement with the presidency at the time of the case. Zuma was not president, but was a member of govt at the time, he argues. He will get back to the EFF on the exact law used. @TeamNews24
— Paul Herman (@PaulHermanCPT) March 14, 2018

#RamaphosaQandA: EFF leader Julius Malema says Ramaphosa has not answered his question on what legal basis was used to pay for President Jacob Zuma's court cases. @TeamNews24
— Paul Herman (@PaulHermanCPT) March 14, 2018

Ramaphosa: Charges arose as Zuma was in a government position. There is a practice that those who are charged that the government will cover that.

There is an agreement in place and therefore we can't ask Zuma to pay the costs.

We have to wait until that case is finalised and a determination is made by court.

Malema insists that his question was not answered as he wanted to know what policy was used.

Mbete says that the president said he has to check up on that.

Question now by Malema

Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota wants Ramaphosa to respond to who are "our people and who are not our people"

Ramaphosa replies: Our people are those who are poor and landless

Those are the people whose lives we are seeking to improve

#RamaphosaQandA: Cope's Lekota stands up. "Whoooaa," snigger ANC MPs. He asks for protection. "Honourable president, I am very concerned that we are saying we are not all SAcans. That's not what the Constitution says. Who is our people?" @TeamNews24
— Paul Herman (@PaulHermanCPT) March 14, 2018

#RamaphosaQandA: One size does not fit all when it comes to land. We need to look at a variety of methods, says Ramaphosa. #LandExpropriation @TeamNews24
— Paul Herman (@PaulHermanCPT) March 14, 2018

#RamaphosaQandA: Ramaphosa says goverment does own a number of farms. "Part of the interventions should be to address the land owned by the State. Where possible, it should be parcelled out," he responds to the FFPlus. #LandExpropriation @TeamNews24
— Paul Herman (@PaulHermanCPT) March 14, 2018