Khoza charges used in secret ballot case

Threats made against her could bolster application

Outspoken ANC parliamentarian Makhosi Khoza has laid criminal charges after receiving threats in Polokwane and Hillcrest in KwaZulu-Natal.

The cases of intimidation are revealed in an affidavit filed by the Institute of Security Studies’ Gareth Newham at the Constitutional Court in support of the United Democratic Movement’s application to have a secret ballot for parliament’s upcoming vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.

The institute, Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, the Unemployed People’s Movement and the Shosholoza Progressive Party, who all support the secret ballot, have been admitted as friends of the court and will make oral submissions on Monday when the matter is heard.

Khoza opened the first case at the end of March in Polokwane and the other in Hillcrest last month.

Limpopo police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said the matter was handled by the Hawks. But the Hawks’ Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the investigation of the threats was supposed to be handled by the provinces concerned.

Newham said the threats and intimidation were likely to constrain how Khoza and others that were similarly situated exercise their right and power in the vote of no confidence.

“Such a constraint is unconstitutional as the party and its interests are not supreme. It is the constitution that is supreme,” Newham added.

According to Newham, National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete failed to comprehend that the Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act prohibits anyone from influencing, threatening or inducing any MP in the exercise or performance of their functions when she dismissed as a mere suggestion that ANC