Opposition parties welcome secret ballot on the motion of no confidence

OPPOSITION leaders have welcomed the decision for a secret ballot on the motion of no confidence against the president, saying it is a chance for ANC members to use their conscience in the best interests of South Africans.

They were speaking at a joint conference outside Parliament following national assembly speaker Baleka Mbete’s announcement yesterday. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa urged the 400 members of the National Assembly to be true to their oaths of office, and South Africa, irrespective of their political party.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane said the secret ballot was the best opportunity to start to set South Africa in the right direction. The country needed a new beginning which would come if the “corrupt” Zuma “who has sold South Africa to other forces” and was “unfit to hold the highest office” was removed.

EFF commander in chief Julius Malema quipped that they welcome the decision of the “incoming president Mbete” who would act in the position for 30 days while a new president is elected.

Malema said the decision was a victory for opposition, the country and Constitution.

FF+ leader Petrus Johannes Groenewald said voting for the motion was the only rational decision and appealed to ANC members to do the right thing.

However, Groenewald warned that the the opposition should be careful not to be so sure that the country would have a new president on Wednesday. He said the Speaker’s decision could be an indication that the ANC was sure that their members would tow the line.

President of the ACDP Kenneth Meshoe said those who vote against the motion, and in support of the president, would be saying their consciences are dead.

IFP treasurer general Nared Singh said they would write to the chief whip of the ANC to request an urgent meeting before the vote to discuss how exactly the secret ballot will work. “We know that it is posssible for certain people to know who voted how if the voting works in a certain procedure. It is very important for us to know the procedure.”

Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota urged members of the National Assembly to vote out corruption in favour of clean governance.