Motion of no confidence in President Zuma rejected

225 members voted against it, 99 voted in favour of the decision while 22 chose to abstain.

The motion was brought by the DA on the basis of Zuma's management of the country's economy and other affairs. 

Opening the debate, Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said Zuma is a sellout.

It was in response to ANC members whom he says have labelled opponents sellouts.

"He sold out when he recalled a sitting president to [make] his way towards power. Deputy speaker, he sold out when he knowingly used public money to build his private house. Our duty today is to remove the man who has done so much to sell-out our people. You owe it to your country to support this motion today," he said. 

The DA claims more than one million letters lobbying for the ANC's National Assembly caucus to support its motion have been sent through its online platform. 

When it was his turn, UDM Leader Bantu Holomisa said it's the ANC's duty to ensure its candidate serves the nation with distinction.

"If as is the case now, their candidate is messing up with the country, the ruling party has a duty to the nation to act decisively in the interest of the country and its people," he said. 

IFP Leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi told the House the ruling party has used its majority to shut down the voice of the opposition to protect the President.

"I've been in politics for more than six decades, I've seen enough to know that a leopard doesn't change its spots. For over 22 years, I've supported all presidents whenever they do what is good and what is right but when they are wrong, they are actually damaging, so to speak," he said.  

Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu wrapped up the debating by telling MPs today wasn't a day for political niceties. 

"It is a day for rebutting a very silly motion."

"Contrary to what the leader of the opposition would have South Africans believe, it is he that [inhabits] his own planet, it is his DA that is not interested in inclusive growth in a country with racially skewed economic development. Honourable Speaker, this should be a motion against the opposition, she hit back.

During the debate, Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli ordered Cope MP Willie Madisha to leave the National Assembly for defying him.

Madisha had been presenting his debate points when Tsenoli told him that his time at the podium was up but Madisha kept talking. 

A visibly angry Tsenoli then asked Madisha if he was deaf. The Chairperson later apologised for the remark after MPs defended him, saying he would not have heard him with all the noise coming from specific benches. 

Listen to Tsenoli scolding Madisha below:

(File photo: Gallo Images)