Vote of no confidence against S. African president to be held Thursday

JOHANNESBURG - The South Africa Parliament will on Thursday discuss a vote of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma.

This was confirmed by the speaker of Parliament on Wednesday in a statement. The motion had originally been scheduled for Feb 22.

The speaker of parliament said that she has written to the leader of the EFF Julius Malema informing him of the change of dates. The no confidence vote will be on Thursday at 1400 hours.

Zuma was recalled by the ruling party, African National Congress on Tuesday. The ANC stated that they cannot allow Zuma to continue ruling the country for the next 3-6 months which he had requested.

In a televised interview Wednesday, Zuma said he is being victimized and recalled without being given some reason why that has to happen.

As for the EFF's request for the vote on the motion to be conducted by means of secret ballot, Mbete has determined that voting would be by open ballot.

Section 57 of the Constitution, 1996, directs the National Assembly to conduct its business, among others, with due regard to representative and participatory democracy, accountability and transparency. Mbete said in her letter that she believed that this decision strengthens Parliament's efficiency in its oversight of the Executive.

The ruling party had defended Zuma on several occasions on the no confidence vote. It is expected that this time they will vote with the opposition to remove Jacob Zuma. The ruling party gave Zuma until Wednesday to respond to the recall.

On Wednesday the party said they are still waiting for his response.

In a statement, ANC spokesperson, Pule Mabe said they have noted Zuma's interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

Mabe said, "President Zuma has affirmed that he has not defied the ANC however does not agree with the decision. In addition, the President Zuma committed to deliver a statement in response to this decision later today (Wednesday). The African National Congress will await delivery of this response by President Zuma."

Also on Wednesday, ANC Treasurer-General Paul Mashatile said after an ANC caucus meeting in Parliament that the party's MPs would support the EFF's motion of no confidence against Zuma.