By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The motion of no confidence against National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza—brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)—has failed after being defeated in Parliament.
The party is accusing her of bias in handling legal matters linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment inquiry, after Didiza decided not to oppose the president’s application for an interdict against the impeachment proceedings.
Didiza said she had chosen to abide by the court’s ruling, while the impeachment committee, through its chairperson, Makhashule Gana, filed a notice to oppose the application.
During the debate in the House earlier today, EFF leader Julius Malema argued that Didiza has not shown impartiality and chose to prioritise her political party.
The African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli countered Malema, saying there is a record to show Didiza acted speedily to implement the ruling of the Constitutional Court in May that an Impeachment Committee should be established.
To remove the Speaker of the National Assembly, a resolution requires a majority of the votes cast, provided that a quorum is present.
A quorum requires a majority of the 400 members of the National Assembly, meaning at least 201 members must be present.
A simple majority – 50% plus one of the members present and voting – is required for the motion to pass.
If all 400 members vote, the threshold is 201 votes.
The Deputy Speaker, Annelie Lotriet, announced that each MP would be called by name to register their vote.
The sitting was held entirely virtually, with only Lotriet seated in the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament. All ANC MPs were called to a single location in Cape Town, from where they voted.
She declared that the motion had failed after 101 voted in favour and 282 has voted against.
Meanwhile Democratic Alliance (DA) Parliamentary Leader George Michalakis said he met with Didiza earlier this month to talk through the party’s concerns about the running of the institution, and it will therefore allow her the space to make some changes.
Michalakis said Parliament deserves a strong Speaker who will stand up for the institution.
“Of course, we do not agree with everything that the Speaker has done up to now; there are many things we agree with, there are many things we have been critical of. But we do feel that a motion of no confidence is a much too drastic a step to deal with that at the moment,” said Michalakis.