By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former president Jacob Zuma criticised the country’s laws for being too lenient on hardened criminals.
Speaking during a virtual gathering on Sunday, Zuma said the country’s laws took a “soft” stance, even against those who commit heinous crimes.
“For an example, today, if I commit a crime, if I kill a somebody in front of all of you, the laws of this country say you can’t say this person is being arrested or charged because he’s killed a person, it says we must say we suspect this man has killed this person. That’s the softness of the law.
“Today, if I committed a crime, no matter how serious, I have a right to apply for bail,” he said.
He added: “I think our laws are not biting enough. They are not dealing with people enough. For example, people who were sentenced to life imprisonment, it is always known they will be out in 20 years.”
The former president was speaking during the ANC’s virtual umrhabulo session, under the theme “Social cohesion and the national question”.
Meeting convener Jeff Radebe said the purpose of the engagement was to discuss one of 12 national general council (NGC) papers, which could not happen in person due to Covid-19.
During the event, Zuma also took a swipe at parliamentary proceedings which have, on various occasions, been disrupted by MPs.
He slammed the often poor behaviour, saying it was not reflective of the country’s citizens and did not contribute positively towards nation building.
“There is less content in the discussion of how do we move forward, building a nation and a cohesive society. That debate is not there in parliament. They [MPs}] are not necessarily, in my view, representing the citizens who are looking at them wanting to hear what hopes they give and the progress they have made,” said Zuma.
However, only voters who placed those members in parliament could hold them to account, according to Zuma.
He said another issue impeding social cohesion is the ANC government’s failure to deal with structural challenges in the South African society.
These include the unfair distribution of land as well as racial and economic inequality.
Meanwhile Zuma has maintained his defiance and that of his family members against appearing before the state capture inquiry, saying the latest summons compelling him to appear as irregular.
Zuma’s decision has been heavily criticised and has caused division within the ANC, with calls for him to be removed as a party member.