Cape Town – The majority of Members of Parliament have rejected a motion brought by opposition leader Mmusi Maimane to have President Jacob Zuma removed from office.
The motion was debated following a debate on last week’s Constitutional Court ruling on the remedial actions of the Public Protector’s report on non-security upgrades at the President’s Nkandla home.
After a vote, 233 MPs did not support the motion to remove the President, while 143 voted for the motion. No member abstained.
During the debate, the DA leader said it was the job of the MPs to uphold the Constitution and to offer a clear way forward for the country.
He said this was due to the fact that last week’s Constitutional Court judgement was scathing on the presiding officers.
Department of Justice and Correctional Services Deputy Minister John Jeffery said the court did not find a serious violation that required for the President to be removed.
“The Constitutional Court judgment stated that the President failed to uphold, respect and defend the Constitution.
“In the order, it stated that his conduct was inconsistent with the Constitution. But the court did not find a serious violation…”
The Deputy Minister said it was the DA and not the Constitutional Court that is saying that the President committed a serious violation.
He said the President has issued an apology and vowed to abide by the judgment and pay for non-security upgrades at his Nkandla home once the National Treasury has made a determination.
MPs urged to uphold NA decorum
Ahead of the debate opposition parties delayed the beginning of the proceedings when they asked the Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete to recuse herself from presiding over the sitting due to the fact that she was a respondent in the Constitutional Court judgment.
After a brief consultation between the Chief Whips, the Speaker said it was important for MPs to always set an example to the nation.
She said as leaders of society, what MPs do in the House sends a message to the members of the public.
“We should be able to differ without resorting to unbecoming or offensive language. Efforts must be put by all of us to uphold the decorum of this House,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
