Anyone can deliver SONA, except Zuma says Opposition

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa says opposition parties are willing to listen to anyone but President Jacob Zuma come next Thursday.

Opposition parties say there is no decision yet to boycott this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

They were briefing the media in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, on their plans ahead of the SONA on February 8.

A motion of no confidence against Zuma will be tabled on the 22 February.

Opposition parties say they will meet with the National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete on Tuesday to engage further.

Holomisa says Zuma has numerous judgments against him and he has failed to uphold and defend the Constitution.

“The Constitutional Court has ruled that President Zuma has failed to uphold and defend the Constitution and his oath of office. The SCA had upheld a high court ruling to reinstate corruption charges filed against Zuma. This is the President of the ANC’s continued protection and promotion, President with numerous rulings and judgments against him.”

Mbete has said she does not have the powers to postpone the State of the Nation Address. She added that the motion of no confidence cannot happen before the SONA.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) had written to the speaker asking her to schedule a motion of no confidence before the President delivers the SONA next week.

The party has expressed their unhappiness that the motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma will be tabled on the 22 February.

The party’s Deputy President Floyd Shivambu says the motion should be debated before the State of the Nation Address by President Zuma.

“We are insisting as the EFF that the motion of no confidence must happen before the SONA because it is useless to listen to a person who will be removed anyway as the President. We are more than confident that ANC MPs will vote with all political parties that want JZ (Jacob Zuma) gone. In the ANC, a majority of the members recently elected to the NEC are of the view that JZ (Jacob Zuma) is no longer suitable to the President of the Republic.”

Click below for more on the story: