'Zuma's removal would be like dropping nuclear bomb on SA'
The ANC is adamant next week's motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma will not succeed.
ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu briefed the media in Cape Town on Friday - reiterating that ANC MPs would not vote for Zuma's removal.
Section 102 of the South African Constitution allows for members of Parliament to remove the president from office if they have lost confidence in him.
According to Africa Check, President Zuma has faced five draft resolutions about motions of no confidence in the National Assembly during his time in office.
Three motions of no confidence have been voted on, one has been amended and one has been withdrawn.
Mthembu says Zuma's removal would be like dropping a nuclear bomb into the country.
"This would negatively affect government and the working poor. Our view is that the president's removal will just be negative. If we are in a technical recession this would be the best way to put us in a recession," Mthembu believes.
Mthembu says only the ANC can remove Zuma and they will not be led by the opposition.
"If ANC MPs align themselves to the motion of the opposition party they will be strengthening it. The DA will go to the electoral smiling. This motion comes from the opposition and that opposition wants to unseat the ANC from government."
The number of votes needed for a vote of no confidence is 201 out of 400.