Arguments presented in Parliament for, against Zuma's removal
Democratic Alliance Leader Mmusi Maimane says corruption has infected ANC like a cancer.
That's how he kicked off his party's motion to have President Jacob Zuma impeached.
Maimane said the Constitutional Court finding that Zuma violated the Constitution by failing to implement the binding recommendations of the Public Protector should have been the end of him as President.
"Today, the ANC will choose Jacob Zuma. It's up to the voters of South Africa to make a different choice and believe you, me - they will vote for change," Maimane said.
Maimane saying the Concourt ruling should have sealed President Jacob Zuma's fate.
ANC MP and Deputy Justice Minister John Jeffery said the Constitutional Court did not find a serious violation as the Constitution requires.
"There is a difference - whether the DA likes it or not - between an inconsistency and a serious violation. In fact, the EFF specifically wanted the court to declare that the president violated his Oath of Office but the Constitutional Court did not declare this nor did the court declare that the president had perpetrated a serious violation of the Constitution or the law. Nor did the court declare that the president had perpetrated a serious violation of the Constitution or the law," he said.
The EFF's Julius Malema implored members of the house to listen to struggle stalwarts like Ahmed Kathrada who've called for Zuma to step down.
"We want to see Mr Ramaphosa, Mr Pravin, Mr Jonas and the dulling of corruption. If you're going to vote for this corruption, against the Construction of the Republic of South Africa. We are calling upon you to have another Ben Turok amongst you who is going to vote against a mob. It is better to stand alone and stand for the truth," Malema said.
Before the motion was discussed, Malema said Speaker Baleka Mbete's failure to recuse herself constitutes a conflict of interest.
"I respect the decision that you have refused to recuse yourself and that is the basis within which we will take you to court. We believe that having been the first respondent of the matter we are about to discuss, you are conflicted and therefore you will not be objective. I can guarantee you are going to lose and you're going to lose with cost. You are costing this Parliament a lot of money with that type of an attitude," Malema said.
(File photo)