Zuma vote: ANC confident of victory

THE ANC has dismissed suggestions that the disciplinary charges levelled against MP Makhosi Khoza was a warning shot to those who wanted to vote against President Jacob Zuma in Parliament on August 8.

In an interview with Independent Media, ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa was adamant that Zuma would address the Women’s Day celebrations, as head of state, on August 9.

“President Zuma, whether there is secret ballot or not on August 8, will address the Women’s Day celebrations the following day as the president of the country and as the president of the ANC,” Kodwa said yesterday.

The ANC national executive committee has taken a decision that the party’s public representatives should not vote with the opposition to unseat Zuma.

This after the NEC threw its weight behind Zuma, after he twice survived calls to step down that were made by senior members, such as Joel Netshitenzhe and Derek Hanekom at NEC meetings.

The party’s stance has prompted calls, within civil society and the opposition, that Speaker Baleka Mbete should decide on a secret ballot for the motion of no-confidence on August 8.

There is widespread belief that some ANC MPs, who are unhappy with Zuma, would vote him out if granted the secret ballot.

Opposition parties claim they were aware of some ANC MPs who wished the ballot be conducted by secret for fear of consequences if they voted otherwise, in an open ballot.

At least 51 ANC MPs are needed to vote with the opposition if the motion is to be passed.

There were slim chances that Mbete would decide on a secret ballot

Khoza came out in the open to call on Zuma to step down and asked Mbete to decide on secret ballot.

She received death threats when she said she would vote with her conscience.

Kodwa would not be drawn to comment on what would happen to MPs who would break ranks.

“We can’t speculate on what will happen,” he said before dismissing suggestions that the action against Khoza was a message to other MPS to toe the line.

Khoza, who is accused of breaching 11 party rules, has not been suspended.

Kodwa said it was disingenuous for people, and opposition parties playing double standards, to expect ANC MPs to vote against their own when other parties did not do the same.

“In the Mogale City, the EFF is taking action against the councillors who voted against its council position,” he said. “In the debate in the Western Cape Legislature on the motion of no-confidence in Premier Helen Zille, the DA will expect its MPLs to toe the party line.”

Political analyst Protas Madlala said there were slim chances that Mbete would decide on a secret ballot. The court did not instruct her, but it said she must use her discretion,” Madlala said.