... That is the question we must answer, not only as party representatives in this House, but as a nation as a whole.

In the light of the above, we must first and foremost agree as political parties that, under the present electoral system, there is no way that one can call for a vote of no confidence in the ANC president and succeed because the same President was imposed by the ANC on the people of this country. [Interjections.]

Therefore, the problem is not President Zuma as an individual, but the electoral system itself and his party. The AIC is not undermining the idea, but it is a fact that any member of this House accounts to his or her political party. Not even voters can remove the President. Only his party can do so, as was the case with former President Thabo Mbeki in September 2008.

How can one be so sure that one is doing well for the masses of this country when passing a vote of no confidence in the President as an individual while he takes instructions from Luthuli House, not from the people of this country?

The AIC believes that the current electoral system needs to be changed. A system that will allow the direct election of the president by the people should be put in place: A president who will be above party politics and be able to sign laws that are based on the will of the people; a president who will not appoint politically connected people in key positions in the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, the SA Police Service, SAPS, the SA Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, and so forth, with the aim of controlling these state organs for narrow political wishes.

The present system is flawed because it allows the ruling party bosses to instruct their members on how to behave in the legislatures, which Bills to vote for, and how to hold members of the executive accountable.

The AIC is aware that there is no perfect electoral system but believes that the introduction of a direct presidential election might assist to bring about a people-centred and people-driven type of governance.

The AIC is not convinced that passing a vote of no confidence in an individual will assist in doing away with the political rot facing our country. The role of public representatives ... [Interjections.] Thank you. [Time expired.]