South Africa's parliament Speaker allows secret ballot in Zuma no-confidence vote

Record ID: 905580

  • Title: South Africa's parliament Speaker allows secret ballot in Zuma no-confidence vote
  • Date: 7th August 2017
  • Summary: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (AUGUST 7, 2017) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS MARCHING AGAINST ZUMA TO PARLIAMENT (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHAKIER, SAYING: "Even though they've decided on the secret ballot you know, I think President Jacob Zuma will still survive it you know, because he's the people's President you know. A lot of the people that's against it you know, they are against the radical economic transformation. So whatever they are doing, you cannot unseat a duly elected democratic elected president." PROTESTERS MARCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) KENNY NEELS, SAYING: "Our President is going to have to step down, there's nothing else to do you know? Because I'm very happy about what the people just did now, really."
  • Embargoed: 21st August 2017 16:15
  • Keywords: no-confidence vote Zuma corruption parliament secret ballot South Africa speaker South Africa
  • Location: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
  • City: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0026T5S1MV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The speaker of South Africa's parliament ruled on Monday (August 7) that a motion of no-confidence in President Jacob Zuma brought by opposition parties will be held through a secret ballot - a decision which increases the chances he will have to step down.
    The decision could embolden members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to vote against Zuma and puts him in a precarious position as he struggles to fend off opposition accusations of corruption and mismanaging the economy.
    If the motion succeeds, Zuma - in power since 2009 - and his entire cabinet would have to step down.
    Speaker Baleka Mbete, who is also the ANC national chairwoman, told a news conference that her decision was meant to ensure the outcome of vote was credible.
    Eight previous no-confidence motions against Zuma have failed as the ANC has a commanding majority in parliament, but they were all held through an open process.
    However, protesters calling for Zuma to step down had mixed views on the effectiveness of the secret ballot in removing Zuma from power.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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