Zuma battles imminent impeachment

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa is facing a no-confidence vote in parliament next week with his reign mired in crisis, after investigators documented allegations of government corruption.

Thousands of people took to the streets earlier this week to demand that he should resign from office.

The vote was called by the main opposition, following a report by the country’s anti-corruption watchdog calling for a judicial inquiry into allegations of influence-peddling in the ANC Government.

The report was finally released after the president withdrew a court bid to delay its publication in the face of mass public protests.

Police used stun grenades and water cannon to disperse protesters in Pretoria carrying “Zuma must go’’ placards.

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), told a news briefing in Cape Town that the no-confidence debate and vote was scheduled for Nov. 10.

“This motion should not be viewed as a partisan motion – we do not see it as a DA motion.

“I know there are ANC MPs and cabinet ministers who have had enough.

They have an opportunity to actually do something about their anger by Nov. 10,’’ he said.

Zuma has survived his two previous no-confidence votes this year, largely backed by the support of his ANC (African National Congress) which controls about two-thirds of the Assembly.

A senior party official said ANC lawmakers were unlikely to break ranks and support the motion this time round.

However, there have been widening fissures in the ruling party this year.

There is growing discontent with the scandals that have plagued Zuma’s presidency and played a role in the ANC suffering its worst electoral losses since the end of apartheid in municipal polls in August.