Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Premier of the province of KwaZulu-Natal has cautioned the Democratic Alliance (DA) following a statement issued by its leader in KZN Sizwe Mchunu calling on the premier to immediately suspend MEC for Tourism and Economic Development Mr Mike Mabuyakhulu and the Speaker of the Legislature Ms Neliswa Nkonyeni.
"I wish to reiterate the position of the provincial cabinet taken on 21 July 2011. We stand behind Mr Mabuyakhulu and Ms Nkonyeni and work on the principle of colleagues being innocent until proven otherwise. We will respect all legitimate legal processes in this matter."
"The guilt or otherwise must be proven not by a political party (DA) but by institutions authorised by law. We noted media speculations about the dropping of charges and we are surprised that these names continue to be blemished in the media based on selective leaks."
"Before charges were preferred in this case, these individuals were subjected to trial by the media which prejudiced their case ahead of their appearance in the court of law. While we have no information about such matters we consider inappropriate for the DA to seek to influence matters in the hands of the justice system."
"The matter is sub judice. The comments purported to emanate from the DA of whether the case against the accused may or may not be dropped are inappropriate and are a matter of the justice system. The DA has been at the forefront of this matter commenting on matters ahead of state institutions. This is raising suspicions and begs the question what do they know that we do not know."
"We call on the DA to respect the institutions of justice and allow them to pronounce their decisions independently."
