Home

Impeachment is not a guarantee in getting rid of Zuma: Prof Fikeni

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Political Analyst, professor Somadoda Fikeni says an impeachment brought against a sitting president does not always produce the desired outcome.

Fikeni says this is evident in the unsuccessful impeachment against former US president Bill Clinton which was brought forward during the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal.
He says the call to impeach president Zuma could “result in a long legal process – if not fast-tracked could see Zuma finish his term as president of the country provided that the ruling party does not recall him.”
The National Assembly has been discussing the matter of impeaching president Zuma.
Going forward, parliament has to setup rules governing the call to remove a sitting president of South Africa.
Currently, the constitution of South Africa in chapter five, section 89, provides for a removal of the head of state if they grossly violate the constitution, have been found to be corrupt or for some reason cannot continue with their duty as president of the republic.
To date, eight failed motions of no confidence have been brought against president Zuma. The impeachment, if successful, will be the first of its kind in the new dispensation.

Listen to Professor Somadoda Fikeni explain how the impeachment process against president Jacob Zuma could unfold:

Author

MOST READ