Leader of the Democratic Alliance Mmusi Maimane speaks with members of the media after leaving President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town, South Africa February 9, 2017. REUTERS/Nic Bothma/Pool

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa’s parliament said on Wednesday a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma can only be withdrawn by opposition leader Mmusi Maimane and not the Speaker, responding to requests by the opposition to delay the vote.

The Constitutional Court said on Tuesday it would consider whether the no-confidence vote should be taken by secret ballot. Opposition leader Mmusi Maimane then requested the Speaker to delay the vote until the case was determined.