‘Mbeki maintains respect for Constitution and law’

Meeting between Zille and Mbeki

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Helen Zille, says President Thabo Mbeki has told her that he is still committed and prepared to abide by the country's constitutional requirements on any matter.

Speaking after a two-hour long meeting with Mbeki, Zille says he has reassured her of his respect for the Constitution and judiciary.

This was a second meeting between Zille and Mbeki.

High on the agenda was the issue of the National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, the suspension of NPA boss, Vusi Pikoli, the incorporation of the Scorpions into the SAPS and the respect for the Constitution.

Zille said she conveyed the fear of many South Africans to Mbeki that an ANC decision to disband the Scorpions may be an attempt to protect prominent ruling party members from corruption charges.

The DA leader has described the meeting as open and frank. She recently suggested that the ANC's rush to disband the only effective corruption-busting force in the country, illustrated the ruling party's disdain for the Constitution.

Power crisis
Zille says she also conveyed to Mbeki the need for people to be held accountable for the current electricity crisis.

The DA says while it demands accountability, it is convinced that the only solution to the crisis is for all parties and South Africans in general to work together to resolve the crisis.

"We have discussed with the President medium and long term solutions, such as ways to save energy and a move to other alternative sources of energy," Zille said.

Mbeki has requested a meeting between Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi, Minerals and Energy Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica, Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin and Zille tomorrow to discuss the electricity crisis in detail.