Cape Town – The National Assembly has rejected a “frivolous” motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma.
This comes after Parliament allowed an urgent motion by the leader of the opposition Mmusi Maimane to be debated during Thursday’s sitting over the President’s leadership.
After a debate, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Lechesa Tsenoli said 214 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted against the motion being adopted, while 126 voted in favour of the motion, with one abstaining from voting.
Some 58 MPs did not participate in the vote.
“The motion is therefore not agreed to,” the Deputy Speaker said.
An earlier attempt by members of the opposition to propose that a secret ballot be imposed for the vote was unsuccessful.
During the debate, different parties argued that a vote of no confidence be adopted by the National Assembly against the President citing a variety of reasons – from the state of the economy to corruption within government.
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said the fifth attempt by the opposition to introduce a motion of no confidence since 2014 was frivolous.
The Minister said under the leadership of President Zuma:
- The National Development Plan was drafted and adopted;
- National Health Insurance is being piloted;
- A new HIV and AIDS programme was developed, giving a real chance to a long productive life to those living with HIV and AIDS;
- The country unveiled the largest infrastructure roll-out in its history;
- Focus was placed on rural development and has spearheaded a radical land reform programme;
- Two new universities were built in the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga;
- Further Education and Training Colleges have been restructured, their profile raised and billions of rand of investment made to improve their infrastructure;
- Funding for the NSFAS has been increased to over R10 billion in 2016/17, and the children of poor parents and the “missing middle” earning less than R600 million will continue to receive financial support from government;
- A bold capital expenditure expansion was announced by state-owned companies reflecting the expansionary outlook of this government towards economic investments;
- The first female AU Commission Chairperson in its 50 years of existence was elected; and
- The energy challenge was resolved and nine-point plan for economic recovery developed.
“South Africans would be better served by an opposition that seeks to improve existing initiatives, or offers compelling alternatives, rather than sitting back – free of the responsibility to govern – plotting ways to win news cycles and score political points.
“Working together, with all South Africans who are committed to taking positive steps to improve our economy and society, we will move South Africa forward,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
