South Africa’s Zuma survives another vote of no-confidence

The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma on Tuesday survived another vote of no-confidence which was taken in secret by Members of Parliament.

After two hours of debate and extensive voting process, 198 members of the national assembly voted against the motion which was brought in by the Democratic Alliance, with 177 voting for the removal of Mr. Zuma.

Some 30 ANC MPs however voted for the President to be removed. 9 MPs decided not to cast their vote.

The speaker of the national assembly, Baleka Mbete in her final speech said the ” motion of no confidence against the president is accordingly negative.”

She earlier announced that the votes will be taken in secret after the country’s Supreme Court ruled months ago that the national assembly speaker can execute the option of allowing for secret balloting on the motion.

Opposition political parties in South Africa pushed for the secret ballot to be taken on the motion.

READ: ANC MP denounces President Zuma

They argue that many members of the African National Congress (ANC) could be intimidated into voting against the motion if the voting is done publicly.

READ: Zuma to face vote of no-confidence in August

The Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), African Christian Democratic Party, and some members of the African National Congress (ANC), as well as the South African Communist Party (SACP), before the debate on the motion said they will vote against President Zuma.

The ANC leadership had warned lawmakers from the party against voting with the opposition.

The DA leader, Mmusi Maimane told local media that the results of the voting showed that Mr. Zuma doesn’t have the needed support among the ANC.

“Zuma is a dead man walking” he said.

#NoConfidenceVote Maimane: Zuma is a dead man walking @news24 pic.twitter.com/IqbfosZp7q

— Matshidiso Madia (@tshidi_lee) August 8, 2017

In the dark, our CIC @Julius_S_Malema gives a message of hope to our people pic.twitter.com/xmYgDJlPZU

— #EFFTurns4 (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 8, 2017

There was jubilation among supporters of the ANC as well.

#NoConfidenceVote ANC supporters celebrating outside the National Assembly @news24 pic.twitter.com/Z90LKmbQ8N

— Matshidiso Madia (@tshidi_lee) August 8, 2017

Source: Africafeeds.com