SA in for a tough political time: Analyst

SA in for a tough political time: Analyst

President Jacob Zuma survived yet another motion of no confidence against him in the National Assembly yesterday. 

Parliament_gcis
Photo: GCIS

The motion failed when 214 MP's voted against it. 


One-hundred and twenty six voted in its favour. 


But political analyst Karima Brown believes things will only get worse for President Jacob Zuma over the next few months. 

 

 Brown says even though the motion was always destined to fail, due to the ANC's superior numbers in the legislature, opposition parties did manage to shine a spotlight on the numerous scandals involving the president.

 

"They knew, as well as the ANC, that they never had the numbers to get the motion to pass. But what they did have, was at least four hours of embarrassing and going for the jugular for 'Brand ANC' and President Zuma," says Brown. 


ALSO READ: Motion of no confidence in Zuma fails

 

Deputy speaker,  Lechesa Tsenoli,  at times struggled to keep the peace, as both sides of the National Assembly went into full combat mode. 

 

The ANC defended its corner vigorously, but Brown believes this is not necessarily due to a belief and trust in President Zuma's leadership abilities. 

 

"Zuma put in a personal appearance at the ANC caucus, ahead of the debate. Some MP's that I spoke to said they felt that it was a sign of intimidation. Other MP's and ministers that I spoke to told me that they will vote, but their vote should not be seen as a blanket support for Jacob Zuma." 

 

Brown says this is proof that President Zuma does not command complete control and loyalty.

 

She adds that while President Zuma may have won yesterday's battle, he is fast losing the war in the ANC. 

 

"The National Executive Committee meeting coming up at the end of November, I think that will be a pivotal meeting. Historically President Zuma has commanded complete dominance in that meeting," says Brown.

 

She says proof of President Jacob Zuma's changing political fortunes, is the National Working Committee of the ANC not heeding a call by the pro-Zuma faction on Monday, to take the former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's State of Capture report on judicial review. 

 

Instead, the ANC has come out in support of the recommendation that a judicial inquiry into state capture be instituted -  an inquiry that could end up laying bare the extent to which President Zuma and other senior members of the ANC have been captured by the controversial Gupta family.

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