Party ‘surprised’ at Cyril motion

NO CONFIDENCE: ‘NEWS OF DEBATE RECEIVED VIA MEDIA’

Matter delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic as parliamentary activities halted.

The African Transformation Movement ( ATM) were caught by surprise over the announcement that its motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa would be debated in parliament, saying it received the news via the media.

The ATM brought forward the motion over the sealing of the CR17 campaign bank statements, continued implementation of loading shedding and the high unemployment rate.

However, ATM spokesman Sibusiso Mncwabe told The Citizen the party had not yet received any correspondence from National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise.

“We have only seen in the media that the motion will take place,” Mncwabe said.

“We were fighting against the motion being heard and conducted virtually as we are calling for a secret ballot.

“But we’ll see what parliament decides once they have reached out.”

Parliament has, however, confirmed that Ramaphosa would face his first motion of no confidence next week after the ATM fi led its motion in February.

The matter experienced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic as parliamentary activities were temporarily halted.

The motion will be heard on

Thursday, parliament spokesman Moloto Mothapo confirmed to The Citizen.

“The sitting over the motion of no confidence will be hybrid not virtual, so all MPs will appear in the National Assembly next Thursday,” Mothapo said.

With 249 seats out of 400 in parliament, the ANC will be difficult to defeat. The remaining 151 members, if they all voted in favour on the motion, would need another 50 votes from the ANC to carry the motion.

According to Chapter 5 of the constitution, section 102, Motions of no confidence (2): “If the National Assembly, by a vote supported by a majority of its members, passes a motion of no confidence in the president, the president and the other members of the Cabinet and any deputy ministers must resign.”