ANC sticks to its guns on Zuma motion
The African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament insists it will not vote with opposition parties during a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.
The Constitutional Court delivered judgement on the issue of a secret ballot this morning, saying Speaker Baleka Mbete has the power to decide whether voting takes place in secret.
Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu says ANC Members of Parliament will vote among party lines, not matter what Mbete ultimately decides.
“Whether this motion is through a secret or open ballot, the ANC caucus will not vote with the opposition. We can’t vote with them to remove our President and government.”
Mthembu says the Democratic Alliance (DA) has refused to remove Western Cape Premier Helen Zille when faced with a similar scenario.
“It is not in the interest of the ANC nor our government. All these opposition parties want us to remove our leader but will not do the same. The DA refused to remove Zille for her colonial tweets.”
He says South Africa’s political system is party-based and the ANC will not damage itself by removing Zuma.