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Zuma Survives No-Confidence Vote

South Africa’s President, Mr Jacob Zuma, has survived the no-confidence vote held in the country’s parliament today amid protests. Advertisement The motion was defeated by … Continue reading Zuma Survives No-Confidence Vote


Jacob Zuma, South Africa

Jacob Zuma, South Africa

South Africa’s President, Mr Jacob Zuma, has survived the no-confidence vote held in the country’s parliament today amid protests.

The motion was defeated by 198 to 177 votes, and was greeted with cheers and singing by ANC members of parliament.

It was his ninth such challenge – but this was the first to be held by secret ballot.

That raised the stakes, with national media calling it ‘high noon’ for Zuma.

Ahead of the vote, thousands took to the streets on Tuesday to demand that lawmakers throw him out following accusations of corruption and mismanagement of the economy.

On top of years of corruption allegations, Zuma upset investors in March by sacking respected Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan.

Although criticism had also grown within the ruling African National Congress Party, ANC lawmakers resolved to rally behind him at a meeting before the parliamentary vote.

Zuma took power in 2009 and if Tuesday’s vote had gone against him, he would have been booted from office.