Zuma survives yet another no confidence vote

 ·10 Nov 2016
Jacob Zuma in Germany speaking

President Jacob Zuma has survived his fifth no confidence vote since 2014 – as opposition party, the DA, again failed to secure the necessary majority in Parliament.

The DA brought the vote of no confidence days after the Public Protector released a damning report, investigating claims of ‘state capture’, implicating the president, several ministers, and the Gupta family.

“The Public Protector’s report on state capture is further proof that corruption is now everywhere in government, and it all points directly to Zuma and his cronies,” the DA said.

“Only by removing Zuma from office, can we start to repair the damage he has caused.”

The ANC slammed the DA’s move, calling it premature and labelling it an “annual and frivolous ritual”. The party said that the contents of the Public Protector’s report were inconclusive and that it made no rulings against the president or ministers mentioned.

Party leaders said that the ANC would oppose the motion.

The DA appealed to ANC MPs, who make up the majority in Parliament with 249 seats, to put South Africa ahead of Zuma, and to vote with it that the president should go.

However, true to the word of its leaders, the ANC voted against the motion, causing it to fail.

The DA needed 201 votes for the motion to pass – the final vote was 126 for the motion, and 214 against, 1 person abstained, and 58 people did not vote.

Read: how the motion of no confidence in March 2016 went – ANC rallies behind Zuma in vote of no confidence

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