Opposition parties call on Mbete to postpone SONA
United Democratic Movement (UDM)
leader Bantu Holomisa has called a meeting of opposition leaders to discuss the
status of next week’s State of the Nation Address in Parliament.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane has already written to Speaker Baleka Mbete asking that the address be postponed until President Jacob Zuma has been removed from office and Parliament elects a new president.
In the letter to Mbete, Maimane highlights the divisions in the African National Congress (ANC) which he says had led to stark policy and ideological differences within the governing party.
Maimane believes it would not be in the country's best interest for President Zuma to deliver the address, as it is unclear how long he will remain in the Union Buildings.
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This comes as Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema also wrote to Mbete to request a vote of no confidence in Zuma ahead of his speech on February 8.
Malema says the ongoing court cases and commission of inquiry into state capture necessitates an urgent parliamentary sitting.
"The suitability of Mr. Jacob Zuma to continue in the office of President is more of an urgent question now than the SONA to be delivered by the incumbent who is on the verge of commissions and trial.”
In a statement on Wednesday, Parliament confirmed receipt of the letters, saying it would consider the requests.