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OPPOSITION parties have slammed the ANC’s decision to close ranks and instruct its MPs not to back a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.

This came after Speaker Baleka Mbete confirmed the motion would be debated on April 18. She arrived at her decision after consulting Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu.

Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said Mbete had followed the law in ensuring the debate happened as requested by opposition parties.

“The Speaker’s consultation process, therefore, followed these specific provisions in the constitution and the Assembly rules, taking into consideration the urgency of the matter and the reality MPs are working in their constituencies across the country,” said Mothapo.

Opposition parties said the ANC national working committee’s decision effectively allowed Zuma to continue with his “disastrous policies and destruction of the economy”.

DA spokesperson Phumzile van Damme said the party hoped individual ANC MPs would vote with their conscience.

“The ANC cannot be exempt from their role in the crisis. It allowed a culture of impunity to take root, defending Zuma at every turn, breaking institutions in the process and undermining our democratic project,” said Van Damme.

ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe said his party hoped ANC MPs had seen the consequences of Zuma’s leadership, with his cabinet reshuffle which had led to a downgrade to junk status.

“If we are downgraded to junk status by the other two ratings agencies, Fitch and Moody’s, nobody will invest in us.”

IFP deputy national chairperson Albert Mncwango said the no-confidence motion had in the past been a futile exercise. But he said the SACP and Cosatu’s stance on Zuma was telling and they too wanted him gone.

“We want them to put their money where their mouths are,” said Mncwango.

Cope spokesperson Dennis Bloem said it was difficult for ANC MPs to go against the party because they had already been threatened with removal from Parliament.Bloem said this was made clear yesterday by ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe that these were party deployees and they would not vote with the opposition.