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1st LD Writethru: S. African parliament starts impeachment debate against Zuma

Xinhua, April 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Africa's Parliament on Tuesday began a debate on a motion of impeachment against President Jacob Zuma following a Constitutional Court ruling against him in the Nkandal scandal.

The session got a chaotic start as opposition MPs demanded that Parliament Speaker Baleka Mbete rescued herself from the debate.

"We're discussing Zuma now. We can't discuss Zuma with you presiding over this matter. Let Deputy Speaker sit there," said Juliu Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

The opposition claims that Mbete has failed her job by defending Zuma and that it's not fair for her to preside over the debate.

MPs of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) were chanting: "Vote, vote, vote!"

Opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) filed the motion after the Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that Zuma violated Constitution by refusing to repay part of the public money laverished on security upgrades at his private home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal Province.

In order for the motion to remove Zuma to be successful in the National Assembly, a two-thirds majority is needed, or at least 267 MPs have to vote in its favour.

The ruling ANC has 249 MPs in the National Assembly, while opposition parties have 151 seats.

Opposition parties are pushing for a secret ballot.

ANC caucus spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the expectation is that members of parliament will be voting in line with party affiliations.

The ANC has given full support to Zuma over the Nkandla saga. After a meeting of the ANC's National Working Committee on Monday, the party said Monday that while Zuma is liable to pay back some of the money spent on his homestead, he has not broken his oath of office.

The ANC said it has accepted Zuma's apology over the Nkandla saga.

Zuma apologized to the nation on Friday for the "frustration and confusion" caused by the Nkandla sag, and said he is willing to pay a reasonal amount of money, as required by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. Enditem