Zuma’s fate awaits in a secret ballot
ANC says it will vote against a motion of no confidence
“HAVING considered all the factors, and mindful of the fact that this decision is not setting a precedent, I determine that voting on the motion of no confidence in the president on August 8, 2017 will be by secret ballot.”
With these words by National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete, the die is cast and MPs must decide today, whether President Jacob Zuma will continue as president of the country.
Mbete noted that MPs owed a heavy debt to the public who elected them, and were under no legal obligation to maintain allegiance to the party they represented. And she added that the court had reminded all that a vote of no confidence was a potent tool to hold the president to account.
The ANC caucus was quick to point out that while it respects the decision of the Speaker, its members will vote against the motion of no confidence.
“We reiterate our stance that the ANC will vote against this motion. We will not vote with the opposition to collapse our democratically elected government,” it said.
The ANC caucus also said that it had noted an online list purporting to have 95 ANC MPs who will vote in favour of this motion.
“This list is nothing but fake news to the extent that some of the people on the list have long left Parliament including comrade Joyce Moloi-Moropa. The other member included on the list is a member whom we buried this past week, comrade Trevor Bonhomme. This shows the utter desperation of our detractors. We have full confidence in our ANC members of Parliament. This motion, just like others before it, will be defeated.”
The DA said that ANC MPs now have no excuse and should vote to fire Zuma in the motion of no confidence. DA leader Mmusi Maimane said they must use their vote to stand up to grand corruption and vote to remove Zuma. “While the removal of Jacob Zuma will not solve every problem in our nation, it would be the beginning of a national rebuilding project that is urgently required. The DA’s vote will be no secret – we will vote to fire Jacob Zuma tomorrow.”
In making her announcement, Mbete said she had carefully weighed many different factors and interests, and in particular the considerations stressed by the Constitutional Court when it delivered judgment on the application by opposition parties which tried to force a secret ballot.
Dr Pieter Groenewald, leader of the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), said South Africans must realise that the secret ballot does not necessarily mean the end of the current presidency.
“This decision is an indication that the ANC is convinced that it has control over its members and that the party is therefore not afraid of a secret ballot.
“The Speaker’s decision was rationally seen in light of her arguments about the matter, and the FF+ never thought there could be any other decision. Mbete nevertheless showed courage with her decision.
“The FF+ is of the opinion that it is only logical to dismiss the president with a secret ballot as he is appointed in this way. We would once again like to urge ANC members of Parliament to realise the seriousness of the matter, support the motion and give South Africa a new opportunity for a better future,” said Groenewald.-