Leaders of the Democratic Alliance (DA), the United Democratic Movement (UDM), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were on Monday holding a meeting in Johannesburg to devise a strategy to remove President Jacob Zuma.

The round table talks consisted of DA leader Mmusi Maimane, EFF central command team chairperson Dali Mpofu and secretary Godrich Gardee, the UDM’s Bantu Holomisa, the IFP’s Mangaqa Albert Mcwango, and the leader of the African Christian Democratic Party, Kenneth Meshoe.

Mmusi’s spokesperson Mabine Seabe said they could not reach the National Freedom Party (NFP) leaders, but the Congress of the People’s leader Mosiuoa Lekota was expected to arrive during the day after he was done addressing Save SA demonstrators in Pretoria.

“We did contact the NFP, but they were difficult to get hold of. The FF+ Plus are also part of this but sent through an apology, they could not make it,” he said.

The opposition parties were trying to come up with a solid plan to make sure that the latest motion of no confidence against Zuma tabled in Parliament by the DA prove successful.

This would mean persuading Africna National Congress (ANC) MPs who were critical of Zuma’s sweeping Cabinet reshuffle that removed Pravin Gordhan and Mcebisi Jonas from their posts as minister and deputy of finance last week, to break ranks and vote with the opposition.

Save SA and the SA Federation of Trade Unions were holding protests in Pretoria on Monday. The DA said it would march to ANC head quarters Luthuli House on Friday to “convince the ANC to support the motion of no confidence in its President”.