Vote as ANC orders, MPs told
The fallout over how ANC MPs should vote in the opposition motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma spilt over to the party's national policy conference yesterday, with Police Minister Fikile Mbalula warning MPs to follow the party's voting directions.
The Sunday Times understands Speaker Baleka Mbete's announcement of the August 3 date for the debate came as a shock to the ANC caucus, as party MPs claimed her office had not informed the chief whip's office prior to the release of the statement.
Several ANC MPs such as Mondli Gungubele and Makhosi Khoza have voiced a desire to vote with their consciences or by secret ballot.Sources who attended Mbalula's briefing said the former ANC Youth League president had said the parliamentary caucus was not a constitutional structure with the authority to take independent political decisions.
Another source said: "He told them they must forget about the idea of voting with a conscience; that they have no powers to make such decisions."
Mbalula's remarks are likely to be interpreted as an assault on a caucus that has recently started getting tough on cabinet ministers during oversight committee meetings.
Since national executive committee member Jackson Mthembu took over as chief whip last year, ANC MPs have regained the courage to take on problematic government departments and parastatals.
Mbalula's broadside to the parliamentary caucus is in the same vein as comments made by Zuma on Friday in his political overview. Zuma said there were attempts to pit ANC MPs against his ministers...
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.