There is really no hope that a secret ballot for the motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma will take place after the Constitutional Court’s ruling.
The Constitutional Court found after a unanimous decision that the speaker of parliament is in a position to allow a secret ballot in Parliament in particular circumstances, but that the court cannot prescribe it. She must eventually decide on that.
The leader of FF Plus, Dr. Pieter Groenewald believes that the secret ballot will not take place for that reason. “The speaker of parliament, Baleka Mbete, has repeatedly shown her first priority to the ANC, and the FF Plus, therefore, does not have much hope that she will allow a secret ballot to get rid of Jacob Zuma,” said Dr. Groenewald.
He said, however, it is insightful that Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng gave an important direction to Mbete on her obligations by saying that she should ensure the interests of the ANC are balanced with the interests of the electorate.
“It is also important that ministers from the ANC take note of the important judge’s recommendation and that they have sworn to the Constitution and their office and not to the ANC and that they must, therefore, vote strictly according to their conscience, regardless of whether the vote is an open or secret ballot.”
Judge Mogoeng pointed out that a general election is the strongest weapon that the public has to call the government to account.
The secretary-general of the ANC, Gwede Mantashe, as well as the chief whip of the ANC, Jackson Mtembu after the ruling said they did not care for a secret ballot and that the ANC members would not support the motion.
Dr. Groenewald said that if they are so sure about their case, the secret ballot must be allowed so that Mantashe and Mtembu’s statements can be tested.
During a deliberative question and answer session in parliament just after the court ruling, Zuma said he was confident he ruled the country well and that a secret ballot was not necessary. He also pointed out that on seven previous occasions the motion of no confidence instituted against him failed every time.
Read the original article in Afrikaans on Die Vryburger
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