Opposition Tries to Remove Speaker During Impeachment Debate

The impeachment debate against President Jacob Zuma had barely got underway on Tuesday when the opposition with one voice asked that the speaker of the house, Baleka Mbete, who is often seen as an ally of Zuma’s, be removed from the chair and be replaced by someone who could be fair and impartial.

Members of the Democratic Alliance, which put forward the impeachment motion, the Economic Freedom Fighters, Congress of the People, the Freedom Front, and other parties, joined together, one after the other, saying that Mbete had been named in the Constitutional Court ruling against Zuma last week, and that she could not be impartial and fair in a debate about impeaching Zuma.

After 30 minutes of fiery debate, Mbete called the party whips to consult for ten minutes.

The DA’s John Steenhuisen was one of the speakers asking for Mbete to recuse herself:

 Malema tells Mbete she must recuse herself:

https://youtu.be/4scbyWe7DAQ