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Cape Town – The ANC majority yesterday voted down an opposition motion in the National Assembly that President Jacob Zuma must be called to appear before the ad hoc committee mulling reports on misspending on his Nkandla home.
The motion, introduced by DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane, included a call to allow Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to brief the committee and to uphold her directive that Zuma repay some of the R246m spent on upgrades to Nkandla.

“President Zuma can’t run away from accountability,” he pleaded.

The EFF, IFP, Cope, and FF Plus backed the motion. Like the DA they said they would return to the committee if it were adopted.

It was voted down by 180 to 99 votes, with one abstention.

The opposition withdrew from the committee last month in protest at the ANC’s refusal to call Zuma or other witnesses, and to accept that remedial action proposed by Madonsela was binding.

The opposition motion was moved as an amendment to a motion tabled by the ANC to extend the lifespan of the committee, which was due to expire today, until 14 November.

This was passed by the chamber. – Sapa