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SA MPs to debate motion of no confidence against Zuma

Xinhua, November 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

The National Assembly has accepted a request from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) to debate a motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma, it was announced on Tuesday.

The motion of no confidence against Zuma would be debated in the National Assembly on Thursday, the Office of Parliament Speaker Baleka Mbete said.

The decision was made after consultation with the leader of Government Business and the ANC Chief Whip, Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli said.

The DA tabled this motion 20 days ago, in order to give Parliament an opportunity to give legitimate expression to the overwhelming disapproval of, and opposition to Zuma and his administration.

Since then, the release of the state capture report and its contents has vindicated this decision, DA leader Mmusi Maimane said.

The ANC, however, ridiculed the DA's move on Tuesday, saying at least once a year Parliament must be subjected to discussing a motion of no confidence brought by the DA and with no prospect of succeeding.

"The DA has now made this an annual and frivolous ritual that is fast losing its meaning," ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

He said the ANC regards it as a sign of growing arrogance on the part of the opposition that they believe they can command ANC MPs to vote against president of the ANC and the Republic.

For the past two years, two motions of no confidence against Zuma have been defeated in Parliament which is controled by the ANC.

But this time the DA wants to use the state capture report to build up the momentum to bring Zuma down.

The report, compiled by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and released on November 2, shed light on how the wealthy Indian Gupta family used their close relations with Zuma to influence the appointment of cabinet ministers and CEOs of state-run enterprises.

The report prompted growing calls for Zuma to resign. There also have been calls by ANC veterans for the party to hold a Special National Executive Committee to discuss the matter.

Zuma has dismissed allegations of any wrong doing. Endit