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South Africa President Zuma survives no-confidence vote | South Africa President Zuma survives no-confidence vote |
(35 minutes later) | |
South Africa's parliament has voted down a no-confidence motion in President Jacob Zuma, while a court is hearing a case to reinstate 738 corruption charges against him. | South Africa's parliament has voted down a no-confidence motion in President Jacob Zuma, while a court is hearing a case to reinstate 738 corruption charges against him. |
Governing party MPs defeated the motion by a big margin, while Mr Zuma's office said he would oppose the court case. | |
The opposition was behind both actions, accusing him of taking a bribe. | The opposition was behind both actions, accusing him of taking a bribe. |
Mr Zuma has denied the allegation, linked to a multi-billion dollar arms deal negotiated over a decade ago. | Mr Zuma has denied the allegation, linked to a multi-billion dollar arms deal negotiated over a decade ago. |
He was first charged in 2005, and fired as deputy president by then-President Thabo Mbeki. | He was first charged in 2005, and fired as deputy president by then-President Thabo Mbeki. |
After much legal and political wrangling, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped the case in April 2009, and Mr Zuma went on to become president a month later. | After much legal and political wrangling, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped the case in April 2009, and Mr Zuma went on to become president a month later. |
During a noisy parliamentary session, DA leader Mmusi Maimane described Mr Zuma as a sell-out whose main aim was self-enrichment. | During a noisy parliamentary session, DA leader Mmusi Maimane described Mr Zuma as a sell-out whose main aim was self-enrichment. |
South Africa was "spiralling downward, and doing so at an alarmingly fast rate" under his presidency, the party added in a statement. | South Africa was "spiralling downward, and doing so at an alarmingly fast rate" under his presidency, the party added in a statement. |
'Spy tapes' | 'Spy tapes' |
The governing African National Congress (ANC) party said that despite the "frivolous antics" of the DA, its confidence in Mr Zuma remained unshaken. | The governing African National Congress (ANC) party said that despite the "frivolous antics" of the DA, its confidence in Mr Zuma remained unshaken. |
The motion was defeated by 225 votes to 99, with 22 abstentions. | |
In the High Court, the DA's lawyers said the decision of the NPA to drop the corruption charges was unconstitutional and irrational. | In the High Court, the DA's lawyers said the decision of the NPA to drop the corruption charges was unconstitutional and irrational. |
Mr Zuma's office said, in a statement, that the court action was an "abuse of process by a political party in order to advance a political agenda". | Mr Zuma's office said, in a statement, that the court action was an "abuse of process by a political party in order to advance a political agenda". |
The president was confident that the NPA's decision would "withstand any scrutiny", the statement added. | The president was confident that the NPA's decision would "withstand any scrutiny", the statement added. |
At the time, the NPA said phone-tap evidence, dubbed in the local media as "spy tapes", suggested political interference in the investigation, and it was "unconscionable" to press ahead with the case. | At the time, the NPA said phone-tap evidence, dubbed in the local media as "spy tapes", suggested political interference in the investigation, and it was "unconscionable" to press ahead with the case. |
Chicken run | |
The DA brought the case after it won a lengthy battle in 2014 to obtain the "spy tapes". | The DA brought the case after it won a lengthy battle in 2014 to obtain the "spy tapes". |
Mr Zuma, a former ANC intelligence chief, has been dogged by controversy throughout his time in government. | Mr Zuma, a former ANC intelligence chief, has been dogged by controversy throughout his time in government. |
Last month, he conceded in court that he needed to pay the government for money used to upgrade his private home, which included the building of a swimming pool, amphitheatre, chicken run and cattle enclosure. | Last month, he conceded in court that he needed to pay the government for money used to upgrade his private home, which included the building of a swimming pool, amphitheatre, chicken run and cattle enclosure. |
That case was brought by the DA and left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party after Mr Zuma failed to pay the money, despite a ruling against him by an independent anti-corruption body in 2014. | That case was brought by the DA and left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party after Mr Zuma failed to pay the money, despite a ruling against him by an independent anti-corruption body in 2014. |
In December, South Africa's currency went into a tail spin after having three finance ministers in a week. | In December, South Africa's currency went into a tail spin after having three finance ministers in a week. |
In 2005, Mr Zuma's former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted of corruption. | In 2005, Mr Zuma's former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted of corruption. |