Shhhh! Speaker Determines SECRET Ballot for Tomorrow’s No Confidence Vote in President Jacob Zuma
National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete announced at a press briefing in Parliament on Monday – with a cough and a splutter – that the vote in the Motion of No Confidence in President Jacob Zuma will be held by Secret Ballot. The occasion was so momentous – and perhaps being a little fearful of an […]
The occasion was so momentous – and perhaps being a little fearful of an angry backlash from some ANC Parliamentary Members – that Mbete experienced a coughing fit half way through her final sentence, delivering the much-awaited announcement. She had to stop and drink a glass of water before continuing.
“That cough comes at a strategic moment,” she joked, before continuing to announce her final determination that the vote “on the 8th of August 2017 will be by Secret Ballot”.
In a live transmission the Speaker explained she had taken “this extraordinary approach” of the press briefing in the “interest of transparency” and great interest.
She outlined all the factors that she had taken into consideration in a “balanced and rational manner”, and how mindful she was about her responsibility in making the decision, and in keeping the order of the House as she fulfils her exclusive constitutional power to determine how the vote should take place.
She also said it was her duty to take into account the repercussions of her decision, particularly within a toxic atmosphere, and to not be influenced by fear or favour.
She stressed several times the importance of transparency and openness as set out by the Constitution, by which she was guided in her decision making. She said she had also sought submissions from the all the political parties, and consulted legal advisers.
“I understand that it’s a very important matter… and a tool used to hold the President to account… to the needs of the people.”
She said she was aware it could have one of the “severest consequences imaginable”, and said members are not supposed to always operate under secrecy, and that it is time for MPs to show a “display of courage to boldly advance the interests of those they represent, no matter the consequences”. She said they should “vote according to their conscience”.
Before making her final announcement, she said “this decision is therefore in the best interests of the country” and that the “outcome of this very important vote is [taken] without fear or favour… putting the resilience of our democratic institution to the test…”
The Speaker said she will not recuse herself from tomorrow’s gathering, as called upon to do by some opposition members, and said their calls had no constitutional basis and were legally misplaced.