International News

S.African MPs to cast secret ballots on Zuma

CAPE TOWN, Aug 8, (APP/AFP) – South African President
Jacob Zuma faces a no-confidence vote by secret ballot in parliament Tuesday, with opponents hoping that discontented ANC lawmakers could help oust him from office.
Criticism of Zuma from within the African National Congress (ANC) has
grown over corruption scandals and economic woes, and the celebrated party of Nelson Mandela has declined sharply at the polls.
But the ANC — which holds a large majority in parliament — welcomed
the decision to hold the vote by secret ballot and said it expected the
no-confidence motion to fail.
Several opposition parties will lead a protest to the national
assembly in Cape Town on Tuesday ahead of the parliamentary session due to begin at 2:00 pm (1200 GMT).
“ANC MPs now have no excuse. They must use their vote… to remove
Jacob Zuma,” the main opposition Democratic Alliance party said after the speaker of parliament made a surprise decision Monday to hold the ballot in secret.
Zuma has easily survived several previous parliamentary votes held
without secret balloting.