South Africa: President Jacob Zuma to face motion of no confidence Aug. 8

South Africa’s parliamentary speaker has said that lawmakers will vote on a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma on August 8.

The vote on Zuma, who has faced calls for his resignation because of scandals and corruption concerns, previously had been scheduled for August 3. But the parliament said Sunday that speaker Baleka Mbete changed the date because a Cabinet meeting is occurring around the time of the previous date.

Mbete has yet to decide whether the vote will be held by secret ballot.
The opposition had gone to court to try to get the motion conducted by secret ballot, which it believes could tip the balance against Zuma. The Constitutional Court said it was up to Mbete, a Zuma ally, to decide how the vote should be implemented.

“Negative tendencies”

Zuma on Friday acknowledged corruption and other “negative tendencies” in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party that has led since the end of apartheid in 1994, but sharply criticized opposition groups and former supporters who want the scandal-ridden president to resign.

The ruling party is expected to replace Zuma as ANC president at a meeting in December. His term as president of South Africa continues until the 2019 elections, however, there are calls from within the ruling party for him to quit and allow the ANC to shore up support before the vote.

Source: Associated Press