![Watch: Mmusi Maimane says no to ANC plans for land expropriation [video]](https://www.thesouthafrican.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/motion-to-dissolve-parliament-watch-live-e1509637222834-414x276.jpg)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA AUGUST 31, 2017: DA leader Mmusi Maimane during Jacob Zumas questioning in parliament on August 31, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. EFF leader Julius Malema dared President Jacob Zuma to take him to court for alleging that the president was corrupt and used his position to enrich his family. […]
![Watch: Mmusi Maimane says no to ANC plans for land expropriation [video]](https://www.thesouthafrican.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/motion-to-dissolve-parliament-watch-live-e1509637222834-800x529.jpg)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA AUGUST 31, 2017: DA leader Mmusi Maimane during Jacob Zumas questioning in parliament on August 31, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. EFF leader Julius Malema dared President Jacob Zuma to take him to court for alleging that the president was corrupt and used his position to enrich his family. […]
At a Demoratic Alliance press conference on Thursday afternoon, the opposition party confirmed they have tabled their motion to dissolve Parliament.
The sentiments echo those made by Julius Malema, at the #EFFPresser held just one hour earlier. It seems like all opposition parties are ready to start afresh.
What does the term “dissolve Parliament” mean?
It is the term used to describe a process which would effectively render the current government obsolete. Dissolving Parliament is the action of removing all serving MPs from their positions, and holding early elections to build a new government in the face of one that is perceived to have failed.
Certainly, failure is something both the DA and EFF believe they are seeing with the African National Congress. Although Jacob Zuma has been removed as President, the opposition still see the ANC as a corrupt party, with an inability to lead the country.
Why did the DA submit the motion to dissolve Parliament?
Mmusi Maimane told the media that any new, incoming President “requires a mandate” from the public. They have to prove they are the choice of the electorate. He also slammed Parliament itself for failing to hold the ANC accountable, and that they no longer represent the will of the people.
Here’s how Maimane set out the DA’s plans:
Along with other opposition parties in Parliament, we took a decision to bring a motion to dissolve Parliament in terms of section 50 of the Constitution.
I submitted this motion to the Speaker of Parliament 72 hours ago. – @MmusiMaimane #DApresser
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 15, 2018
If Cyril Ramaphosa is certain he will be elected President of SA by the people, then him and his ANC will have no hesitation in supporting this motion.
SA must now go to the ballot box and elect a new President and a new Parliament that has a mandate from the people. #DApresser
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 15, 2018
Thursday afternoon is all set for an action-packed meeting in Parliament, where Cyril Ramaphosa is set to be sworn-in as President as the opposition scramble to force a dissolution.
