S.Africa parliament to consider opposition no-confidence vote against Zuma

The speaker of South Africa’s parliament said on Sunday that she would “hold consultations” and consider a request from opposition parties to hold a vote on a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma and would make a decision soon.

Baleka Mbete, who is also the national chairperson of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), made the remarks in a televised news conference after she cut short a trip abroad.

Zuma’s sacking of his finance minister this week shook South African markets on Friday, undermining his authority and threatening to split the ANC which has governed since the end of apartheid. Previous no-confidence motions against Zuma have failed as the ANC has a commanding majority in parliament. (Reporting by Ed Stoddard; editing by Susan Thomas)