Zuma wins 8th motion of no confidence – #StateCapture

President Jacob Zuma has survived a vote of no confidence in the South African parliament. It was the most serious effort yet to unseat Jacob Zuma. “We are here to remove Duduzane because Duduzane’s father is the most corrupt individual in this country”. Had he lost, he and his entire cabinet would have had to resign.

The margin of difference between the votes has surprised a number of people with opposition parties saying it signals the possibility of Zuma being removed from power.

The secret vote could embolden some ANC members who are critical of Mr Zuma to vote against a leader whom the opposition accuse of corruption and mismanaging the economy.

“The ANC is supported by the overwhelming majority”, he said, before breaking boisterously into song, cracking jokes and telling his supporters that the opposition had been thwarted in an attempted power grab. It was not enough to pass. Instead, ANC members in the chamber began singing shortly before the results were announced and soon broke out in cheers.

Tuesday’s vote was held on a secret ballot for the first time, allowing more than 20 ANC members to break the party discipline and to vote against Zuma.

“The notion of no confidence in the President is accordingly negative” – Baleka Mbete. In March, he sacked two finance officials. Soon after, credit-rating agencies downgraded South Africa’s sovereign debt to junk.

“Following the news that Parliament has once again voted to offer President Zuma a lifeline, the risks on the Rand are pointing towards further downward pressure”, Ahmad said. While his ANC party members are expected to rally support for him. It’s hard to defeat the ANC. But hindsight may reveal it was the opposition parties who really won yesterday. In his pitch before the vote, he framed the decision as a choice between good and evil.

In 2016, however, a South African court ordered that he should be charged with 786 counts of corruption over the arms deal, an order that he has appealed. “Honourable Gordhan, would you play your part today in resetting the course of history?”

Zuma’s term as South Africa’s president is due to run until 2019.

The ANC has maintained its internal processes, which found former president Thabo Mbeki unfit to rule in 2008, should determine whether Zuma should continue as South Africa’s head of state.