Mbete ‘too biased’ to chair no-confidence debate
NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete should not preside over the debate on the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma next month because she is patently biased and conflicted, opposition parties in parliament say.
The parties‚ including the EFF, UDM, DA, ACDP‚ the APC‚ COPE and the IFP‚ met to discuss several issues in the political sphere.
In a joint statement by UDM leader Bantu Holomisa after the meeting‚ the parties said: “Some parties in parliament have already begun to make their submissions to the speaker to further motivate for a secret ballot.
“However‚ we reinforce the ruling that it is within her discretion to make a determination.
“We hope, for once‚ she’ll be impartial and take a decision for the benefit of South Africa.
“We note her instructions to the ANC MPs to vote in favour of their president – the speaker is patently biased and therefore compromised.
“She cannot preside over the debate. To add to this‚ Ms Mbete will act as president in the event of the success of the no-confidence-vote, which makes her even more conflicted.” The opposition parties have called for mass protests on the day of the debate. Other issues discussed were the Black First Land First attacks on journalists and the conduct of UK PR firm Bell Pottinger.
They called on Zuma to expedite a judicial inquiry into state capture – and on Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to “stop serving the interests of a destructive faction within the ruling party”.
About an alleged rogue intelligence unit spying on political leaders‚ the parties resolved to ask the joint standing committee on intelligence for a briefing by the state security apparatus.