ZUMA’S FATE GOES TO VOTE TODAY.
South Africa’s parliament will vote by secret ballot Tuesday on a motion of no confidence on President Jacob Zuma, the legislative body’s speaker announced.
Monday’s surprise announcement on the vote, which could end Zuma’s presidency, was made by National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete at a news conference in Cape Town. She said her decision shows that parliament is responsive to the public.
“The people of South Africa look to parliament to give direction in challenging times. The people of South Africa also look to parliament for signals of hope,” said Mbete, a longtime Zuma ally.
Mosiuoa Lekota, leader of the opposition Congress of the People, described the secret ballot as “groundbreaking.”
Scores of anti-Zuma protesters marched through Cape Town to the parliament building Monday. Larger demonstrations, both for and against Zuma, are planned for Tuesday.
Opposition parties have lobbied for months for an anonymous no-confidence vote to provide cover to disgruntled members of Zuma’s African National Congress who may fear coming out against their leader in an open ballot.
The motion, which was introduced by the opposition Democratic Alliance, needs 201 out of 400 votes to succeed. The ANC holds 246 parliamentary seats, but several members have already indicated publicly that they will vote against Zuma.