The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) in parliament says it disagrees with National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on following an open voting method on Tuesday.
MPs will vote on whether to set up a section 89 committee to investigate President Ramaphosa. The party says that given the seriousness of the report, Mapisa-Nqakula should have allowed the ATM request for a secret ballot.
Senior ACDP party member Steve Swarts says: “The ACDP appreciates that the decision on whether or not to vote by secret ballot rests with the Speaker of the National Assembly. However, given the gravity and seriousness of the report, we support the calls for a secret ballot. This will avoid pressure from MPs, especially ANC MPs, to be forced to follow the party line or face disciplinary action. And it will allow them to hold the president accountable for his duty,” Swarts says.
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Meanwhile, the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Special African National Congress (ANC) resolved to vote against adopting the Section 89 report when it comes before Parliament on Tuesday.
The one-day meeting was called to discuss the report of the expert panel headed by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo.
The report found that President Cyril Ramaphosa may have violated his oath of office. Ramaphosa attended the marathon meeting, but was asked to recuse himself while NEC members discussed the matter.
Speaking at the end of the meeting earlier in the evening, ANC acting general secretary and general treasurer Paul Mashatile says all party MPs have been instructed to vote against the report.
“The NEC has resolved that it will vote against the adoption of the Section 89 panel report as the report has now been reviewed by the chair. If parliament proceeds tomorrow, the ANC will not support that report, that is our conclusion.”
