70 ANC MPs needed to back motion of no confidence in Zuma: Julius Malema

The president has in effect taken Treasury to the doors of Saxonwold Shebeen by making Malusi Gigaba the new finance minister‚ said Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema.

“We have proven that Malusi is a regular at Saxon Shebeen‚” he said. “Malusi is corrupt to the core."

He was speaking at the party’s head office in Braamfontein‚ Johannesburg‚ on Friday after Thursday night’s shock Cabinet reshuffle by President Jacob Zuma.

“We know that there were serious allegations against Malusi for having that foreign‚ offshore account and he has not done anything to prove that he does not have a foreign account."

• Hogan‚ Kathrada foundation calls for united movement to oust ZumaBarbara Hogan‚ political activist and partner of former minister struggle veteran Ahmed Kathrada‚ said on Friday that President Jacob Zuma had gone rogue. 

He asked why a minister would go around carrying “such amounts of cash … you can only carry cash like that if it’s corrupt money”.

“There is a strong allegation of him staying in a house that was bought for him by the Guptas.”

Malema added that Gigaba's lifestyle was evidence that he has other income: "Malusi lives beyond his means‚ his lifestyle just gives away that he has extra income and in cash.”

Malema detailed the position and feeling of the EFF in response to Zuma’s Cabinet reshuffle.

“We called this press conference within a short space of time because of what happened last night … We have been engaged in serious‚ different meetings since 5 o’clock this morning‚ inside Cabinet and outside Cabinet‚” he said.

“We are speaking to unions and political formations represented inside Parliament and outside Parliament and are working on a strategy on how best we can remove Zuma as president because what he did last night was not in the best interest of the country.”

Malema added that the party has also consulted lawyers regarding a vote of no confidence in the president.

“Should we do that‚ then ANC members should not abstain‚ they must vote with us - we have to try everything‚ we are in crisis.”

• Zuma's night of long knives risks ANC splitPresident Jacob Zuma fired Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and eight other cabinet members in a high-stakes power play that may threaten his own presidency and place the nation’s investment grade credit rating at risk. 

Parliament had 400 members and for the motion to succeed‚ 201 would have to support the motion of no confidence in Zuma‚ said Malema. “We still need 70 [votes] from the ANC‚ with the hope that the whole opposition will vote with us.”

The EFF had also written a letter to the speaker to request a special sitting of Parliament and “if she is not going to agree‚ we are going to take her to court to compel her to do so”.

Malema also made reference to struggle icon Ahmed Kathrada’s letter to Zuma last year‚ calling for the president to do the honourable thing and step down. Kathrada was buried on Wednesday.

“We hope that Uncle Kathy’s spirit can inspire a lot more people to speak out … we are rejecting [the reshuffle]. We don’t agree with it and we are going to do everything in our power to remove Jacob Zuma‚” said Malema.

“If this doesn’t work‚ then there is still impeachment.”