Khoza in ANC cross hairs

‘EXTREME ILL-DISCIPLINE’: WARNING TO OUTSPOKEN, ANTI-ZUMA ANC MP

Chief whip tells her to stop the ‘publicity spree’ or face the consequences.

ANC MP Makhosi Khoza and the party’s parliamentary caucus are headed for a huge showdown that could see her suspended and then expelled from the party after it warned her about “extreme ill-discipline”.

But Khoza was unperturbed, saying she would only comment once the party has sent its statement to her.

This week, the outspoken MP said she would vote according to her conscience in the upcoming parliamentary no-confidence vote on President Jacob Zuma. She also wrote to Speaker Baleka Mbete to demand a secret ballot. She added that she would not toe the party line and vote against the motion.

This has angered the party caucus and ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu has cautioned her to stop her publicity spree or face the music. He said the ANC’s stance was that the party would not vote with the opposition in favour of the motion.

“We have consistently been on record that we will not vote with the opposition to remove our ANC government from office, whether such a motion is voted upon through an open or secret ballot,” he said.

Recently the Constitutional Court ruled that the onus lay with Mbete to allow the vote to be by secret or open ballot. Instead, Mbete has invited all political parties to express their preference before she takes a decision.

Yesterday Khoza said: “I have not seen the [chief whip’s] statement therefore I am unable to respond. I am waiting to get their statement before I talk because I don’t want them to come back and say ‘what statement are you talking about’.”

Mthembu said Khoza had cast aspersions on ANC MPs in many interviews in which she said she doubted they had the morality to make their own decisions.

“We take serious exception to such utterances ... ANC MPs are tried and tested cadres of the movement who have in their own name and right contributed immensely to the attainment and advancement of our democracy,” he said.

He also criticised Khoza for talking to journalists at the recent ANC policy conference in Jo- hannesburg, when she highlighted the need for a secret ballot and raised the question of her safety. She had received numerous death threats for being vocal in committee meetings, she said.

Mthembu said Khoza was out of order to engage in parallel activities on the sidelines of the policy conference. He went on to deny her claim that she was not allowed to air her views in caucus meetings. “This is absolutely not true. Comrade Khoza, like any other member of the ANC caucus, has never been barred from raising their views in caucus meetings. To the contrary, comrade Khoza has consistently spoken at caucus and expressed her views on any matter.”

He added: “While we respect the right of any MP to raise matters they feel strongly about with the leadership of parliament, party discipline dictates that she should have at least informed the chief whip of such actions.” –

We take serious exception to such utterances