On Tuesday, a motion for Jacob Zuma's impeachment will be deliberated in the parliament after the South African high court has ruled that he violated the constitution. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been pushing Zuma's impeachment after the court ruled last week.
South Africa's constitutional court has found that Zuma wasn't able to uphold the constitution, The Guardian reports. According to the public protector, he should have repaid some of the $16 million he used in rebuilding his home at Nkandla. Soon after the high court's decision, the South Africans and some of the activists who have joined Nelson Mandela have asked Zuma to resign from his position. The leader of the opposition party DA, Mmusi Maimane has requested the motion for Zuma's impeachment.
"The national assembly will on Tuesday, 5 April, consider a motion by the Democratic Alliance for the removal of the President in terms of section 89 of the constitution," National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete said.
According to the DW report, Zuma has failed to "uphold, defend and respect the constitution" because he reportedly disregarded the ombudsman's orders to repay at least $14.6 million to the public coffers. Zuma's residence costs about $24 million (21 million euros) built with cattle enclosure and a swimming pool. Amidst the controversies, Zuma refuted to quit his post as the president of South Africa. He has dismissed the allegations, claiming he didn't do anything wrong.
Lifelong rights activist and former Mandela adviser, Ahmed Kathrada has requested Zuma to step down from the office after a growing number of people demands his resignation. "Today I appeal to our president to submit to the will of the people and resign," Kathrada said in an open letter. "I know that if I were in the president's shoes, I would step down with immediate effect."
On Friday, Zuma made a press statement as he apologized to the South Africans. He promised to repay the money and also claimed that he would never infringe the constitution, Times of India reports. Zuma's impeachment was never mentioned during his press release. It was the most recent scandal that the South African president has faced in seven years. In the past, he was hit with accusations, including influence peddling, rape and corruption.
The day that the parliament will debate on the motion for Zuma's impeachment will be very rough for sure. Since his speech, Zuma hasn't touch the matter surrounding his newly renovated home.
