Leader of the opposition Lindiwe Mazibuko tabled a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma in the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon.
The motion was brought on the grounds "that under his leadership the justice system has been politicised and weakened; corruption has spiralled out of control; unemployment continues to increase, the economy is weakening, and, the right of access to quality education has been violated".
The motion was "mandated" by eight opposition parties, including the African Christian Democratic Party, the Azanian People's Organisation, the Congress of the People, the Democratic Alliance, the Freedom Front Plus, the Inkatha Freedom Party, the United Christian Democratic Party, and the United Democratic Movement.
Briefing the media ahead of Tuesday's 2pm sitting, Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota -- flanked by leaders and representatives from the other seven parties -- said the motion was prompted by a "mounting crisis of leadership" in South Africa.
It was being brought in terms of Section 102 of the Constitution.
Lekota said the joint decision was triggered by the Marikana tragedy; the "appalling Nkandlagate scandal"; the government's failure to deliver textbooks to school children in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape; the downgrading of South Africa's credit rating by two major rating agencies; a "mounting disrespect" for the country's Constitution and judiciary; the growing number of unemployed; and, a "rising tide" of corruption in the public service.
"All of these collectively point to the reality that ours is a country which lacks decisive leadership and vision," he said.
