Vote publicly to expose henchmen

There has been a lot of debate about the upcoming no-confidence vote in the National Assembly around President Jacob Zuma. The consensus among democrats, and those concerned about the future, is that the vote should be secret. This, say the advocates, will create a “safe” environment for ANC MPs to express their opinions, based on conscience and commitment to the constitution. It is further hoped that a secret ballot will permit a true reflection of the number of those opposed to Zuma.

At the risk of being accused of being apologists for Zuma, we would like to float an alternative view: That an open vote is the best thing which can happen for South Africa.

If the vote takes place in secret, we will never know which of the ANC MPs has a real conscience or who puts the party ahead of the country and its people.

With an open vote, there will be nowhere to hide and we can see exactly who supports Zuma – but, much more importantly, we will be able to see those who do not have the guts to challenge him in public.

And, no matter what they say about fear or intimidation or about wanting to change the party “from within”, the reality is that they will be placing the ANC above everything else. If they feel deeply that what is happening in the ANC is wrong for South Africa, then they should be prepared to stand up and be counted.

If they don’t, then, we argue, they are little better than Zuma and his henchmen themselves. They are either captured or are prepared to put up with the prospect of staying in an organisation which has been captured. We are sorry: there is no middle way. You are either part of the problem or you are part of the solution.