DA wants early elections

THURSDAY AUGUST 10 2017 THE DA would table a motion calling for Parliament to be dissolved and early elections to be held, DA leader Mmusi Maimane said.

Maimane told a media briefing the motion would be tabled today, and he expected fellow opposition parties to support it, noting that the EFF had already called for precipitated elections.

He cast the motion as both a reaction to the ANC’s failure to help the opposition oust President Jacob Zuma in Tuesday’s vote of no confidence, and in an attempt to capitalise on the internal dissent in the ruling party evidenced by the fact that at least 26 of its members voted in favour of the motion.

Maimane added that South Africa’s problems, including an economic recession and the extent of corruption allegations against Zuma and some of his ministers, constituted extraordinary circumstances that justified early elections.

“We are sure that the ANC has lost the confidence of the majority of South Africans. By the time Jacob Zuma has destroyed the ANC completely, and the country, it will be too late. Let’s let the country choose a new beginning, now.”

DA chief whip John Steenhuisen pointed out that the constitution made provision for early national elections, provided three years had passed since the last ballot.

The motion would need a simple majority in the National Assembly to succeed. – ANA