ATM seeks delay in no-confidence debate

THE African Transformation Movement (ATM) yesterday asked for the debate on its motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa to stand over after its court application for a secret ballot was postponed.

“The Speaker of the National Assembly has just received a letter from the African Transformation Movement asking for the postponement of the motion of no confidence in the president scheduled for consideration by the House this afternoon,” parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said.

The Western Cape High Court will hear the application on February 3 to 4 next year, in line with an agreement reached in chambers yesterday.

The ATM sought an urgent interdict to compel Speaker Thandi Modise to allow MPs to vote via secret ballot, with party leader Vuyolwethu Zungula saying in his court papers that lawmakers should be allowed to exercise their “personal conscience” rather than follow party orders.

It would have been the first motion of no confidence Ramaphosa faced.

Though the ATM has only two seats in Parliament, the vote would have coincided with another political crisis within the ANC as the party grapples with the refusal so far of secretary-general Ace Magashule to relinquish the position as he faces corruption charges.

Modise had filed papers opposing that application to force her to call an open ballot. |