AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - The Bishops: "President Zuma do not be afraid to consider resigning"

Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) - Bring the political crisis in Parliament to preserve democracy and social peace, ask the South African Bishops in a message signed by Mgr. Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Cape Town and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, published on April 4.
The government reshuffle by President Jacob Zuma which saw the replacement of the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, with Malusi Gigaba, is creating strong protests in the Country (see Fides 31/03/2017). "In this state of anxiety and uncertainty it is of utmost importance that Parliament be reconvened urgently", say the South African Bishops in the document sent to Agenzia Fides.
The Bishops recall that it is for Parliament to monitor the actions of the government and express the hope that the deputies "are guided by the welfare of the country and its people, and not by narrow loyalties or factional interests".
In South Africa many are calling for the resignation of Zuma. "While we note and respect the calls for the resignation of the President, such a step would not in itself be a complete solution, as corruption at every level must be rooted out", says the message which asks the African National Congress, the ruling party, to "make serious efforts to end corruption and patronage at all levels of governance". The Bishops ask Zuma "to earnestly reconsider his position and not be afraid to act with courage and humility in the nation’s best interests".
On 7 April, a protest march has been organized throughout South Africa. The Bishops stress it is our right to participate in peaceful marches and that "it is essential for people to make their voices heard". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 05/04/2017)

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