ATM asks for motion of no confidence to be delayed

THE AFRICAN Transformation Movement (ATM) yesterday asked for the debate on its motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa to stand over after its court application for a secret ballot was postponed.

"The Speaker of the National Assembly has just received a letter from the African Transformation Movement asking for the postponement of the motion of no confidence in the president scheduled for consideration by the House this afternoon," parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said.

The Western Cape High Court will only hear the application on

February 3 to 4 next year, as per an agreement reached in chambers yesterday morning.

“I, Vuyolwethu Zungula, on behalf of the African Transformation Movement, hereby advise the Speaker to postpone the sitting scheduled for the 3rd of December, in respect of the motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa.”

The ATM sought an urgent interdict to compel Speaker Thandi Modise to allow MPS to vote via secret ballot, Zungula saying in his court papers that lawmakers should be allowed to exercise their "personal conscience" rather than follow party orders.

The party was effectively asking the court to overrule Modise’s decision to oblige MPS to vote via open ballot.

It would have been the first motion of no confidence Ramaphosa faced.

Though the ATM has only two seats in Parliament, the vote would have coincided with another political crisis within the ANC as the party grapples with the refusal so far of secretary-general Ace Magashule to relinquish the position as he faces corruption charges.

Modise had filed papers opposing the application to force her to call an open ballot.

Parliament is due to enter its Christmas recess before midmonth.