By Thulani Gqirana, News24
Cape Town – Parliament is set to debate a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma – again.
The Democratic Alliance in December called for the debate, following Zuma’s surprise Cabinet reshuffle last year.
Last month, Zuma removed Nhlanhla Nene from his post as finance minister, and replaced him with ANC MP and former Merafong mayor David van Rooyen. Following a public outcry and the rand collapsing against the US dollar, Zuma appointed Van Rooyen to co-operative governance minister and replaced him with by Pravin Gordhan.
It is Gordhan’s second term as finance minister. His first was from 2009 to 2014.
In a letter to the DA, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete said her office was consulting with the Leader of Government Business and the ANC Chief Whip to schedule the motion “within a reasonable period of time”.
The motion would be published in the year’s first available Order Paper, Mbete said.
‘Reckless, irrational’
DA leader Mmusi Maimane said it was imperative for Parliament to debate the motion. He said the decision to fire Nene had been reckless and irrational, and the reaction predictable and justified.
“The President fired a fiscally responsible minister at a time when our economy required strong and bold leadership, showing his nonchalant approach to our economy.”
He said Zuma had to be removed as president “once and for all”.
In March 2015, the DA unsuccessfully brought a motion of no confidence against Zuma.
A total of 221 MPs voted against it, 113 support it, and eight abstained from voting.
News24
