EDITORIAL: Riddle of the ANC rebels
There is something disturbingly Stalinist about Jacob Zuma’s response
Last week’s dramatic vote in parliament on the DA’s motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma was much closer than has been generally appreciated — which explains Zuma’s deep anger and ominous calls for revenge against those MPs who deserted him. The "no confidence" motion was supported by 177 MPs and opposed by 198. Adding the nine abstentions means that 384 MPs of the maximum 400 voted (there were some vacancies and absences). Estimates say up to three dozen ANC MPs voted against Zuma. Had just 11 more ANC MPs switched, the "no confidence" lobby would have won a majority. In that case, the "no confidence" vote would have numbered 188, to the 187 Zuma supporters in the house. Fewer than a dozen votes in a 400-seat chamber — now that’s a slim margin indeed.
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