How a Constitutional Court blind spot allows Zuma to stall signing crucial bill
Obscure judgment shifted the power to put legislation into force from Parliament to the executive, writes Loammi Wolf
A constitutional crisis is brewing because President Jacob Zuma is not assenting to and signing bills adopted by Parliament so they can enter into force. There is a raft of such legislation. At the centre of the storm is the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment (Fica) Bill, which was adopted by Parliament in May 2016. The legislation is important to curb the corruption of public figures, and requires banks to perform enhanced due diligence on "politically exposed" people, in line with SA’s international obligations. The Presidency said in August the signing of the bill had been delayed by a "constitutional objection" lodged by the Progressive Professionals Forum, established by former government spokesman Mzwanele (Jimmy) Manyi. In terms of legislative procedure, however, the public hearing of objections to legislation tabled in Parliament takes place before the adoption of a bill by the legislature. Such petitions cannot be lodged with the president at the stage when he must ass...
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