EFF boycotts #ZumaNoConfidence debate

Julius Malema, right, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters. Photo: AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam

Julius Malema, right, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters. Photo: AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam

Published Mar 1, 2016

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– The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Tuesday said would not take part in the debate on a vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma as it believed such a move required substance and a judgement from the highest court in land.

“Matters that are likely to be raised in the debate, which are going to be disregarded by the ANC, however legitimate and principled they are, are what the EFF has presented to a full bench of Constitutional Court justices. The court abides by the constitution and has proved as the vanguard of our justice system, and remains the only credible sphere of the state we have faith in,” said spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

“We will await judgement, and then take decisive action moving forward on what must be done.”

He said EFF MPs would not participate in the motion, but would be present to attend to other matters of Parliament.

The motion of no confidence in Zuma was brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA) following Zuma’s decision to fire Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene in December. MPs will debate the motion and then vote thereafter.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has dismissed the planned motion as a lame publicity stunt, following several similar efforts by the opposition in recent months. As a majority party, the ANC said it would win against opposition parties again.

In September, a DA motion to have Zuma impeached over the government’s failure to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in accordance with an International Criminal Court warrant fell flat as the opposition failed to push it through.

In March last year, Agang SA brought a motion of no confidence in Zuma only to withdraw it in protest at National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete’s refusal to recuse herself from the ensuing debate.

African News Agency

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