‘Zuma’s day of reckoning has been confirmed’ – DA’s no confidence debate to go ahead

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane on Tuesday confirmed that the "motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma will be debated in Parliament on Thursday".

"Jacob Zuma’s day of reckoning has now been confirmed‚ set in motion‚ and will be debated in Parliament for all South Africans to witness‚" said Maimane.

The party had threatened legal action after it appeared that National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete had not scheduled the debate‚ despite Maimane having "tabled this motion 20 days ago". The date has‚ however‚ now been confirmed.

"Since then‚ the release of the public protector’s State of Capture report and its contents‚ has vindicated this decision‚" Maimane said.

"This is not a DA motion. This is not an ANC (African National Congress) motion. This is a non-partisan motion that affords all 400 members of Parliament the opportunity to either speak for the people‚ or to protect Jacob Zuma and his corruption.

"The president was elected by Parliament‚ and thus must be removed by Parliament."

The DA took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to say that "assuming that all opposition parties choose to vote‚ we need at least 50 of the 249 ANC MPS to vote with conscience".