Parliament 'erroneously' confirms Zuma's Sona attendance
Updated | By Nokukhanya N Mntambo
Despite previous reports that Jacob Zuma would be attending Thursday's State of the Nation Address, Parliament has now backtracked saying there is no official word on whether or not the embattled former president would be in attendance.
On Wednesday, Parliament announced the former heads of state expected to be at the official opening of Parliament, including Zuma.
Former @PresidentJZUMA will attend #SONA2020! @GCISMedia pic.twitter.com/5fHw3asYu5
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 12, 2020
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says the confirmation was premature.
"In confirming the list of former presidents who have confirmed attendance of the State of the Nation Address, an earlier tweet erroneously included former president Jacob Zuma," says Mothapo.
"The confirmation was premature. An accurate update will be given later today whether the former president is able to attend or not."
In confirming list of former Presidents who have confirmed attendance of #SONA, an earlier tweet erroneously included Former President Jacob Zuma. The confirmation was premature; an accurate update will be given later today. The error is regretted. https://t.co/hCjPtzVFNZ
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 12, 2020
Prior to Parliament backtracking on its confirmation, MK Veterans spokesperson Carl Niehaus denounced talks of Zuma attending as 'fake news'.
Niehaus was speaking in Booysens, south of Johannesburg, where a pro-Zuma support group had gathered.
"At this stage there is absolutely no information from us and especially from the lawyers of Msholozi that he will attend.
"We fear that that announcement may be fake news in order to try and cause aspersions on whether Msholozi is really ill."
Last week, the former president's lawyer told the Pietermaritzburg High Court that he could not attend his criminal trial, because he was receiving treatment abroad for an unspecified illness.
A warrant of arrest was issued for Zuma but will only take effect in May, should he fail to appear before the court.
Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip Natasha Mazzone says the attendance of Zuma would undermine the rule of law.
"It would be quite frankly mad of the ex-president to attend the opening of Parliament given the fact that his doctor's note has him booked off until the end of April.
"Certainly, if Mr Zuma is to ill to attend his court hearing then he's too ill to attend the opening of Parliament."
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