Opposition won't vote for Zuma after election

OPPOSITION parties have indicated that they would not vote for the re-election of President Jacob Zuma by the National Assembly when it meets for its first sitting on May 21 after the election next Wednesday.

This follows the ANC's use of its majority in parliament on Monday to push through a motion that paved the way for the disbanding of an ad hoc committee created to probe Zuma's reply to the public protector's report on Nkandla.

It has become an unofficial tradition in parliament for the opposition not to frustrate the election of the majority party's presidential candidate in a show of respect for the wishes of the electorate.

However, addressing a press conference in parliament yesterday, COPE and the Freedom Front Plus said they would not vote for Zuma on May 21.

DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said her party would allow its incoming caucus to decide how to approach the matter. – Thabo Mokone