ConCourt issues secret ballot directives to UDM
The Constitutional Court has issued directives to the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in their application to approach the court to argue why secret ballots should be used in the motion of no confidence vote in President Jacob Zuma.
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.
UDM legal representative Eric Mabuza said 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," said Mabuza.
The court will issue further directives after 21 April.
SUCCESS! #UDM wins round one, #ConCourt will hear our application pic.twitter.com/FsFv9p6Kx6
— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) April 11, 2017
In the meantime, the UDM has also approached the Speaker asking her to postpone the date for the vote of no confidence.
"We are awaiting her response. We have given her a deadline - 10.00am on Wednesday - to give us an indication. If we don't get a positive indication, we will have to approach court to have the vote of no confidence postponed to another date," said Mabuza.
Mabuza said the vote cannot take place until the matter is heard in the Constitutional Court.