Opposition Parties tabled their motion of no confidence on Zuma

Mluleki Mrwebi

14 November 2012

Eight South African opposition parties tabled their motion of no confidence on President Jacob Zuma.

The Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Leader Lindiwe Mazibuko, tabled the motion of no confidence in Zuma on behalf of the opposition parties, including the African Christian Democratic Party, Azanian People's Organisation, Congress of the People, the Democratic Alliance, the Freedom Front Plus, the Inkatha Freedom Party and the United Christian Democratic Party on Thursday last week.

The parties cited the Marikana killings, the cost of the Nkandla renovations, the failure by the government to deliver textbooks and workbooks to school children in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, the economy crisis in the country and the unemployment rate, as the reasons that led to the motion.

Lindiwe Mazibuko said these things have happened during Jacob Zuma’s leadership and he should step down.

Meanwhile the ANC Parliamentary Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said these are just allegations and the parliament will not have time to discuss it.

Mothapo further said for a motion to be discussed in parliament, it has to be based on evidence and the allegations put forward by these opposition parties some of them are still under investigation.

Constitutional law expert Pierre De Vos said if the government does not have the confidence of Parliament, that government can be removed through a vote of no confidence.

De Vos also said a new government will have to be formed and if this can not be done, a secrete ballot has got to be held.

An Independent Political Analyst Daniel Silke said this motion stands very little chance of being passed, because for it to be passed it needs 50% or more support from the members of Parliament.

Silke said in this case the ANC has an upper hand, since they have more 65% majority in the National Assembly.

The Opposition parties said they would like to see the motion carried out as soon as possible.