Date Scheduled for Motion of No Confidence in President of South Africa

PRETORIA – Parliament has announced that the motion of no confidence will be scheduled for debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday, 18 April 2017, at 2pm.

On 3 April 2017, the Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete confirmed the receipt of several letters from parliamentary political parties requesting an urgent scheduling of a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma (in terms of Section 102 of the Constitution)… following his much-expected, but still controversial, late night Cabinet Reshuffle, which included – without consulting other top ANC members – the firing of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his Deputy, Mcebisi Jonas (whose resignation as an ANC MP was announced today).

As per the National Assembly rules – Mbete engaged in a consultation process with Cyril Ramaphosa and Jackson Mthembu before today’s announcement.

“The Rules enjoin the Speaker to consult with the Leader of Government Business, who is the Deputy President of the Republic, and the Chief Whip of the Majority Party in her consideration of such Motion,” Parliament said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Assembly Rules direct that such a Motion must be scheduled within a reasonable time given the programme of the Assembly. The urgency of the matter was taken into consideration in scheduling a date, as well as the fact that Members of Parliament are currently working in their constituencies across the country.

Parliament said the parties concerned will be contacted accordingly. – SAnews.gov.za

Pres #Zuma supporters at the Local Government Summit singing: those who don't Zuma must move back #LGSummit17 #sabcnews #AntiZumaMarches pic.twitter.com/74LOs7VwdI

— Mamaponya Motsai (@mamaponyamotsai) April 6, 2017