South Africa opposition parties snub Zuma’s speech

South Africa opposition parties snub Zuma’s speech

Thursday, May 5, 2016 4:59 pm


Jacob Zuma: a snub from opposition

Jacob Zuma: a snub from opposition

South African President Jacob Zuma told lawmakers on Thursday to halt their “theatre and antics” after most opposition parties boycotted a speech the scandal-ridden leader gave in parliament.

Several MPs from the ultra-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were forcibly ejected from parliament on Wednesday as they sought to prevent Zuma from giving a speech.

On Thursday, the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, the EFF and six smaller ones were absent as Zuma gave a speech in reply to issues raised during the previous day, saying the president was “discredited” after court rulings against him.

Political tensions are mounting in South Africa ahead of local elections in August when Zuma’s ruling African National Congress faces a stiff challenge from opponents seeking to capitalise on what they see as the president’s missteps.

Zuma, dogged by scandals during his seven-year presidency, survived an impeachment vote in parliament last month after the Constitutional Court said he had violated the constitution.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance party, the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and others stayed away from Zuma’s speech in parliament on Thursday, saying he had been “discredited” after court rulings against him.

“The drama, theatre and antics we see daily in this house will not move South Africa forward,” Zuma said while replying to lawmakers’ questions over a budget to cover the costs of the presidency.

“Commenting as somebody who, from time to time, comes to this house to participate, I believe the house needs to do more to bring this house in order,” Zuma said, adding that the squabbles and scuffles were denting South Africa’s image.

On Wednesday the parliamentary protection services forcibly removed members of the EFF party from the chamber after they tried to disrupt proceedings before another Zuma speech.


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