Postponing no confidence motion right thing to do: DA
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says postponing the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma would be the most respectful thing to do.
It comes after the United Democratic Movement (UDM) was granted access to the Constitutional Court over their calls for a secret ballot to be used.
DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen insists the Speaker has an implied power to reschedule the motion.
"A secret ballot may provide enough cover for ANC MPs whose conscience has pricked them, to put SA first ahead of a rogue president."
He says the party has written to the Speaker saying it would have no problem should the motion be postponed.
Speaker Baleka Mbete has scheduled the debate for 18 April.
Parliament believes the rules do not allow for the use of a secret ballot during a motion of no confidence, which prompted the UDM to approach the highest court in the land.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said they approached the Constitutional Court based on the fact that both the President and the Speaker were appointed using a secret ballot.
The party's legal representative Eric Mabuza says they have not been given direct access yet.
"All that the court has done is issue directives that those parties that wish to oppose the application must do so by Thursday. We have to reply to that by next Wednesday and all the parties must file their written submissions by 21 April," Mabuza told Jacaranda FM News.
The court will issue further directives after 21 April.