The opposition Democratic Alliance has filed an application in South Africa’s highest court to intervene in the bid by far-left Economic Freedom Fighters to have President Jacob Zuma impeached.
Other opposition parties, the United Democratic Movement and the Congress of the People have already supported the EFF legal bid to force Parliamentary Baleka Mbete to introduce impeachment proceedings against the president.
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In March, the Economic Freedom Fighters initiated impeachment proceedings after the Constitutional Court found President Jacob Zuma did not uphold the Constitution.
The court finding relates to Zuma’s failure to implement the Public Protector’s remedial action that he repay some of the public money spent on security upgrades at his private Nkandla home.
The DA says after reviewing the arguments made by the other applicants in the EFF case, it can provide new information.
It’s now applied to the Constitutional Court to make written submissions and oral argument before the matter is heard on 5 September.
Chairperson of the DA’s federal executive, James Selfe, says the matter presents an opportunity for the court to provide clear guidelines on impeachment proceedings.
The case is only one attempt to remove Zuma from office.
The National Assembly is expected to vote on a motion of no confidence in him on 8 August.
The Constitutional Court has found that Mbete is empowered to have this matter decided on a secret vote by MPs