Cape Town – An attempt to have a motion of no confidence adopted against President Jacob Zuma was voted out by the majority in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane had asked the National Assembly that in terms of section 102(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, it resolves that it has no confidence in President Zuma due to the recent slowing of the economy and the weakening of the exchange rate, among others.
After a vote by Members of Parliament, Deputy Speaker of the Nation Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli, said while 99 members of Parliament voted for a motion of no confidence, 225 voted against it, while 22 abstained from voting.
During the debate, ANC MP Mathole Motshekga said the President was, along with the ruling party, voted into power by the majority of South Africans.
He said more than 11 million casted their vote in the May 2014 elections to have the current government run the administration -- an affirmation the confidence that they have in the President.
He said the DA leader’s speech had failed in its attempt to persuade MPs to consider the motion.
Maimane said when leading his debate that MPs owed it to millions of South Africans to support the motion of no confidence.
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi later asked for members to vote with their conscience.
African People's Convention leader Themba Godi said that his party had no confidence in the DA, and that he believed the President should be removed from office at the end of his term.
He said the DA had proposed the same motion unsuccessfully twice last year, and that it would be more constructive to focus on eradicating poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu said South Africa has continued to show its confidence in the current government for 22 years. She said the President Zuma has, on the African continent, carried the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela through sterling work on continental missions, including in the SADC and the Great Lakes regions.
This, the Minister said, complemented his work at home, including his fearless work during the liberation struggle.
She said under President Zuma, government has delivered quality services to the people.
Minister Zulu said according to Statistics SA and the SA Institute of Race Relations, the number of households using electricity increased from 5.2 million in 1996 to 14.1 million in 2014.
More houses now have piped water, with the number growing from 7.2 million to 14 million in 2014. The number of households with flushing lavatories went up from 4.6 million to 9.9 million over the same period.
“This motion is frivolous because the evidence of progress of the [current government] is clear for all to see,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
