Nickolaus Bauer of Mail & Guardian is reporting that the African National Congress (ANC) has reversed its original decision to block the no confidence vote against President Jacob Zuma in Parliament. Secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the matter would be debated, but not immediately.
Bauer writes:
‘”The ANC cannot refuse to discuss a motion of no confidence, but we will not be frogmarched into doing so. It is not an urgent matter,” he told journalists in Johannesburg. The decision comes a day before an urgent interdict to debate the matter was to be heard in the Western Cape High Court. The ruling party has labeled the motion of no confidence tabled against the president on Thursday as a ‘playful, silly publicity stunt’ that “belongs to the rubbish bin.'”
Bauer adds:
Several opposition parties said the motion was “motivated by the Marikana killings; the Nkandlagate scandal; the failure by the government to deliver textbooks and workbooks to school children in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape; the downgrading of South Africa’s credit rating by two major ratings agencies; the mounting disrespect for our Constitution and judiciary; unemployment; and the ‘uncontrollable and rising tide’ of corruption in the public service.”
Originally the ANC opposed the debate, but soon backpedaled after complaints arose that the move was unconstitutional.
Read more at Mail & Guardian.
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