South Africa’s Zuma survives impeachment vote

South African president Jacob Zuma has survived an impeachment vote in parliament that was launched, after the constitutional court ruled that he ignored an order to repay state funds spent on his private home.

President Zuma had the support of the ruling ANC, which controls almost two-thirds of the assembly.

Despite rumblings of discontent within the ANC over a series of scandals involving the president, 233 lawmakers voted against the impeachment motion, while 143 voted in favour.

President Zuma did not attend the impeachment proceedings, which was delayed after opposition politicians demanded that the Speaker of Parliament excused herself from presiding over the proceedings.

The court ruled last Thursday that Mr. Zuma had flouted the constitution by failing to repay some of the 16 million dollars spent on renovating his private home at Nkandla in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.

He had earlier apologised and promised to adhere to the court’s order.

SOURCE: ALJAZEERA