South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, exultant after defeating a no-confidence motion in the national assembly, said on Tuesday that his African National Congress (ANC) party was united and the opposition could not take power through Parliament.

The scandal-plagued president told a cheering crowd thatParliamentition pumps propaganda through media saying the ANC is no longer supported by the people. He also added that the ANC remains untouchable.

Firebrand politician, Julius Malema, however, told the crowds gathered outside parliament that it is the first time in history the ANC supported opposition parties in a motion against Zuma.

Had Zuma lost, he and his entire cabinet would have had to step down.

Zuma survived a no-confidence motion against him in Parliament by garnering 198 votes to the opposition’s 177 votes as African National Congress (ANC) lawmakers rallied to his support.

There were nine abstentions in the secret ballot.

Zuma, 75, has been dogged by allegations of corruption during his eight years in office.

Ahead of the vote, on Tuesday morning, thousands of opposition supporters held a rally in Cape Town where the parliament is located.

Protesters had carried posters saying “Fire Zuma” and a cartoon of Zuma in a dustbin.

The leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance had urged the lawmakers to oust President Jacob Zuma at the start of the parliamentary debate, but the ANC lawmakers ignored the calls and backed the President.