Holomisa sticks to guns over secret ballot

THE UDM has stuck to its guns in the Constitutional Court that a secret ballot was needed to remove President Jacob Zuma from office following his controversial reshuffling of the cabinet.

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said in his final heads of argument, filed in the Constitutional Court yesterday, that Zuma’s decision to axe finance minister Pravin Gordhan had led to a financial crisis in South Africa.

He said Zuma’s decision has also led to deep divisions in the ANC, with ANC MPs also facing threats of being expelled from the party if they voted against Zuma in an open ballot.

He said it was for the court to decide on the secret ballot and not Parliament.

“The UDM’s primary contention is that the constitution requires a secret ballot for no-confidence motions. Whether this is so is an issue only the courts can determine; not the National Assembly or its Rules committee,” said Holomisa. However, Speaker Baleka Mbete contended that she did not have powers to authorise the use of a secret ballot in Parliament.

Mbete said if the court found the decision to prevent a secret ballot is invalid, unlawful and unconstitutional it must refer the matter back to Parliament for reconsideration.

She said she was bound to execute her duties in line with the constitution and Rules of Parliament.