South Africa President Jacob Zuma has sparred with opposition lawmakers in a parliamentary debate.
The country’s highest court has ruled that the Speaker of Parliament has the authority to decide if a motion of no confidence against Zuma can take place via secret ballot.
The move would enable disgruntled members of the African National Congress to support the president’s removal, without the risk of party backlash.
Zuma however maintains the opposition was forced to go to court to get the go-ahead, as it doesn’t have enough numbers in Parliament to push through the motion.
President Zuma has been under a lot of pressure from the opposition over corruption allegation and controversial cabinet reshuffles.
Previous votes of no confidence against him failed to go through as the opposition failed to get enough numbers to back their cause.
With the new ruling, the opposition hope the disgruntled ANC members can vote in favour of Zuma’s removal.
