Zuma survives 'impeachment' vote

The opposition’s bid to remove President Jacob Zuma in Parliament with a motion of no confidence was defeated by 233 votes to 143 on Tuesday evening.

There were no abstentions.

After the vote was announced‚ EFF leader Julius Malema stood up‚ saying: “You have voted against the constitution”.

Opposition parties banded together to argue that the Constitutional Court’s findings last Thursday made Zuma unfit to continue leading the country‚ but once the results were announced‚ staged a walk out.

Opening the debate‚ Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said: “When we were elected to Parliament‚ we swore an oath to uphold the constitution. It was therefore our duty to table this motion today. In his judgment last week‚ the Chief Justice (Mogoeng Mogoeng) was scathing about the conduct of the ANC parliamentary caucus and the presiding officers.

“We know the ANC will fall in line behind Zuma‚ but it is not our job to worry about that.”

The EFF’s Malema said: “I don’t know if (Deputy President) Mr (Cyril) Ramaphosa is going to vote against the constitution“. “It is better to stand alone and stand for the truth!”

He said Zuma “wanted to convert South Africa into a banana republic“.

United Democratic Front leader Bantu Holomisa said Zuma has “put the country at a crossroads“.

The deputy justice minister‚ John Jeffrey‚ led the ANC’s defence of Zuma‚ saying: “What opposition now‚ with the benefit of hindsight‚ say was crystal clear‚ was not so crystal clear”.

The session started with the opposition demanding that Speaker Baleka Mbete recuse herself because she was not impartial.

Malema said: “You are sitting there illegally. You violated the constitution. We cannot discuss Zuma with you presiding over this matter!”

Mbete responded: “Nothing in the constitution or in the rules requires me to recuse myself. The judgment makes an order relating to the National Assembly.”