Threats make secret ballot a ‘necessity’

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa, pictured, insists his party needs a secret ballot to determine the fate of President Jacob Zuma in the upcoming motion of no confidence on August 8.

As ANC MPs planning to vote against Zuma were in danger of being intimidated by their own party, he said it was important all MPs be protected so they could fulfill their constitutional obligation to make decisions in the best interests of the people. Holomisa said ANC MPs had been subject to widespread intimidation to quell dissent and “one cannot make the mistake of thinking these are idle threats”.

He said it was unacceptable that Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, at the recent ANC policy conference, described ANC MPs who planned to vote in favour of the no confidence motion as “suicide bombers”.

“A very violent analogy to describe a potentially violent situation,” Holomisa said.

The UDM leader also cited the case of ANC MP Dr Makhosi Khoza, who was threatened with disciplinary action by party chief whip Jackson Mthembu for her views on the secret ballot. Jackson also threatened other ANC MPs if they did not toe the party line and voted to oust Zuma.

In a letter to Speaker Baleka Mbete, Holomisa asked her to opt for a secret ballot. This was after the speaker asked for input from different political parties on whether the vote should be by secret ballot or open ballot.

Holomisa said there must be a rational basis for whatever choice the speaker makes in determining the voting procedure.

Writing on behalf of leaders of the African Christian Democratic Party, African People’s Convention, the Congress of the People, Democratic Alliance, the Economic Freedom Fighters, the Inkatha Freedom Party and the UDM, he also asked Mbete to recuse herself from the no confidence motion vote process because she is on record instructing ANC MPs to vote in Zuma’s favour.