Secret ballot interdict might catch MPs on wrong footing

The decision by the African Transformation Movement (ATM) to approach the courts seeking an order to compel parliament to hold a secret ballot in their motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa has divided MPs.

Parliamentarians are set to vote on Wednesday next week on two motions of no confidence. One was tabled by the ATM on Ramaphosa’s leadership, the other by the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) motion against his Cabinet.

However, ATM last week approached the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on an urgent basis seeking an order to force National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to conduct a secret ballot.

This comes after Mapisa-Nqakula in February and March this year rejected the party’s request for a closed ballot on the vote.

The high court is expected to hear ATM’s application on Monday, just two days before MPs will vote on the tabled motions of no confidence.

During a meeting of the National Assembly’s programming committee yesterday, ATM’s court action came into sharp focus, with MPs raising concerns about parliament’s preparedness should the high court rule in the party’s favour.

The secretary to the National Assembly, Masibulele Xaso, told MPs there was nothing stopping parliament from proceeding with the scheduled motions unless the high court interdicts the legislature.

Xaso said Mapisa-Nqakula had also received a formal submission from the DA requesting a secret ballot on its motion. She was yet to make a decision on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Inkatha Freedom Party and the United Democratic Movement called for ATM’s motion to be postponed.