DA looks to speaker for impeachment

“I have requested an urgent meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu to discuss my motion to remove President Zuma from office in terms of Section 89 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said.

“We cannot allow this cover-up to be extended to Parliament. The Speaker must do everything possible to ensure that this impeachment motion – mandated by the constitution – is duly considered and that members of Parliament are provided with the opportunity to consider removing the president from office.”

On 24 March, Mazibuko is expected to announce further steps that the DA plans to take regarding the Nkandla scandal.

Following the release of the Public Protector’s report on Nkandla which found that Zuma had improperly benefited from the upgrades, the

opposition party led the calls for Zuma’s impeachment.

The DA’s anti-Zuma stance was echoed in one of the party’s electioneering text messages.

The DA’s message read: “The Nkandla report shows how Zuma stole your money to build his R246m home. Vote DA on May 7 to beat corruption. Together for change.”

The ANC reacted and said it would take legal action against the DA over the text.

In a series of tweets the ANC said, “We are actively taking this matter up by opening a charge of defamation and malicious conduct.

“We will also be approaching relevant recourse structures that deal with elections including the IEC and the electoral court if necessary.

“This message has also been circulated through SMS messaging which is based on a deliberate lie & targeting Pres Zuma, government & #ANC.”

Meanwhile, the DA defended the message and welcomed the legal action.

“The DA welcomes the opportunity to go to court to defend our efforts to ensure accountability for the Nkandlagate scandal,” Mazibuko

said.