MPs now free to vote with conscience: UDM
Opposition parties believe ANC MPs are now free to vote with their conscience in the upcoming motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.
The Constitutional Court yesterday ruled that the Constitution allows for a secret ballot in the National Assembly.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng found Speaker Baleka Mbete to have erred when she said she did not have the power to decide the way in which a motion of no confidence vote took place.
Outside court, opposition party leaders praised the Constitutional Court, saying it was a good day for democracy.
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"This judgement also means the threats which have been issued by Zuma and others - where they threatened the ANC MPs - falls flat now. Those MPs are free to vote and follow their conscience," says the UDM's Bantu Holomisa.
The court not only found that it was constitutionally allowed to have a secret ballot, it also said this was at times preferred when tensions were high.
Despite this, President Zuma - while answering questions in Parliament - maintained the upcoming motion of no confidence needs to be an open vote.
"In the manner we have voted before has not been secret and that is how we have voted. We have instruments here to vote. Let us use those instruments. You are trying to get a majority you don't have by saying secret ballot," said President Zuma.