Analyst: ANC MPs must vote with their conscience
Political analyst Professor Mcebisi Ndletyana says he is in full agreement with former President Thabo Mbeki, that ANC Members of Parliament can vote independently in the motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma next week.
The office of the ANC Chief Whip released a statement last week making it clear that ANC MPs will vote along party lines against the motion.
Ndletyana says how ANC MPs vote will be determined by their conscience.
“If they think what is happening is wrong, they will vote for the president to go. If they vote to retain the status quo it means they are complicit in the mess and they cannot distance themselves from their vote later on and say they did not have a choice. They do have a choice, they are ANC and can vote independently and follow their conscience,” says Ndletyana.
Mbeki wrote a letter on Monday stating MPs are elected to represent the people in parliament and not their political parties.
“In this context‚ consistent with its Constitutional mandate‚ among others the Constitutional Court explained the place‚ role and tasks of our MPs‚ and therefore the National Legislature‚ strictly as defined by our Constitution.It stated‚ correctly‚ that our MPs serve in Parliament as representatives of the people! They do not serve in Parliament as representatives of Political Parties‚ even as they are Members of these Parties,” Mbeki wrote.
Here is the full letter
Mbeki Letter: Obligations of Members of Parliament by GaoOliviaPhalaetsile on Scribd