ATM wants secret ballot when MPs decide Mkhwebane fate
The African Transformation Movement has called for a secret ballot to be used when the National Assembly decides on the fate of suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
MPs are set to decide on Mkhwebane’s fate on Monday when they vote to adopt the report compiled by the committee looking into her fitness to hold office.
The Section 194 committee has recommended her removal from office.
In terms of Section 194 of the Constitution, at least a two-thirds majority vote is needed to remove a Public Protector from office.
The ATM's spokesperson Zama Ntshona believes the ANC will coerce its members to vote in favour of Mkhwebane’s removal.
He said they believe a secret ballot is the only way to conduct the vote in a fair and transparent manner.
“The ANC has 230 members of the NA, and the DA has 84, and the Freedom Front Plus 10. Therefore, between the three parties, they have a total of 327 members which is more than sufficient to constitute the required threshold of 267 votes for the removal of the Public Protector.”
Ntshona said President Cyril Ramaphosa is perceived to be hostile to and biased against the Public Protector due to her investigations into the CR17 campaign funding and the Phala Phala probe in which the president is implicated.
“Voting members of the ANC may well be inclined to please their president by being openly seen to vote according to his perceived wishes. More so, since the ANC is currently going through its list process aimed at deciding which members will be returned to Parliament within the next few months. The timing of this particular vote adds to the dire need for a secret ballot.”
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