‘No Confidence’ in Zuma Debate Postponed, as Requested by DA (Until ‘Secret Ballot’ Decision)

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleke Mbete, has decided to postpone the debate and vote on the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.

Earlier today she had – in the words of the DA – ‘sidestepped’ their request for the postponement by saying that the rules did not allow her to withdraw the motion, and that only Democratic Alliance Leader Mmusi Maimane, who tabled the motion, could withdraw it.

DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen responded, saying Mbete “flat out ignores our request for the motion to be postponed“. He therefore wrote to her again, asking for the postponement, not withdrawal.

In a new statement issued by Parliament late Wednesday, it said the Speaker’s decision to now postpone the debate and vote follows the request by the DA for the postponement, pending the conclusion of the Constitutional Court application by the United Democratic Movement (UDM).

The UDM were yesterday granted approval to have the opportunity to convince the ConCourt that a Secret Ballot should be allowed for the vote in parliament (which would allow ANC MPs to vote against Zuma, if they felt so inclined, without fear of repercussions).

Parliament said in the statement that “the postponement of the motion will be referred to the National Assembly Programme Committee for its consideration after the constituency period.

“The Programme Committee will be requested to reflect on the implications of the postponement of the motion of no confidence on the programme of the House, especially in light of Rule 90 (rule of anticipation).

“In terms of Rule 90, postponed motions remain on the programming system of the Assembly, thereby blocking any MP from tabling a similar motion until the one tabled is debated and voted on.”