South Africa – row over secret voting bid on Zuma no confidence motion

THE much-anticipated debate on the motion of no-confidence in President Jacob Zuma got off to a rowdy start in Parliament on Thursday as opposition MPs called for a secret ballot.

EFF MPs argued that a secret ballot would protect ANC MPs from having to toe the party line when the motion was put to vote. Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli dismissed the EFF’s suggestion, saying there was no provision for a secret ballot.

In an unusual move, it emerged that the DA had sent letters to ANC MPs in the house to lobby them to vote in favour of the motion.

“The DA is sending letters to all members of the ANC asking them to vote in a certain way in the debate,” ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu said.

DA chief whip John Steenhuisen seemed to confirm that the party had sent out the letters. “Point to the rule where it says it’s unparliamentary to receive letters. I received a nasty letter from (Trade and Industry) Minister (Rob) Davies … and you don’t see me being a cry baby,” said Steenhuisen.

The no-confidence debate was called by the DA last week following the release of former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s State of Capture report in which she recommended that the president establish a commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture by the influential Gupta family.

Opening the debate, DA leader Mmusi Maimane said the vote presented MPs with a choice between Zuma and SA.

“I know that there are men and women in these ANC benches who want to do the right thing today. If you allow yourselves to be guided by your conscience and your duty to your country, we can achieve something great in this house.

“I am asking you to take South Africa’s side today, to put your country first.Whatever you choose, history will remember you for that choice,” said Maimane amid heckling from the ANC members.

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said many South Africans have lost confidence in “an irreparably damaged leader (Zuma)”.

Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said the DA’s motion was a desperate attempt by the opposition party and its allies to “undermine the will of the people… in a quest … to gain power by other means other than the ballot.”

“The ANC accepted the will of the people and to date the DA and allies are presiding over some municipalities that were led by ANC.… They are trying hard to distract the ANC and government led by President Zuma from dealing with poverty, unemployment, and inequality,” said Mokonyane.

MPs were due to vote on the motion later on Thursday. Previous motions of no-confidence brought by the opposition have been stifled by the ANC, which enjoys a majority in Parliament with 249 of the 400 National Assembly seats.

Earlier in the week ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said a motion of no-confidence against Zuma “has no chance of succeeding”.