Parliament is debating a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma for the second time in less than a year.
President Zuma is likely to survive the vote thanks to the support of the African National Congress, which holds almost two thirds of the assembly.
DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said that the motion promised to be one of the most important in history, and it deserved to be done in as fair a manner as possible.
ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa accused the DA of 'theatrics' for calling for the debate.
“Through these debates the DA makes an attempt, feeble as it may be, to win in Parliament what they failed to win in the streets - the hearts and minds of the South African people,” said Kodwa.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane said that “all 249 African national Congress (ANC) members of Parliament (MPs) will have to choose between their loyalty to South Africa and its people‚ and their loyalty to Zuma”.
Zuma's chances have been further enhanced by the EFF's decision not to participate in the debate.
"The EFF refuses to legitimise a morally and politically compromised President of the ANC through another process of Parliament," EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said in a statement.
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