By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has formally requested that the motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa be decided on a secret ballot.
The party wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to consider its intentions to table a motion in Parliament.
They’re challenging Ramaphosa’s decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence, and said Firoz Cachalia’s subsequent appointment as Acting Minister was unlawful.
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has since requested that the party file their heads of argument by July 27, and the respondents were given until July 28 to do the same.
The matter is set down for hearing on July 30.
The MK Party stated that Ramaphosa’s actions on Mchunu’s leave and Cachalia’s appointment raised significant constitutional questions and concerns about transparency, accountability and his overall leadership, and the party further claimed that South Africa had lost confidence in Ramaphosa’s leadership.
In a letter addressed to Didiza, the party’s deputy president and Parliamentary leader John Hlophe said a secret ballot for the No Confidence Motion would safeguard the integrity of the voting process and ensure that the outcome reflected the true will of the Members of Parliament.
He explained that it would ensure that Members of Parliament were able to exercise their constitutional duty “freely and without fear of intimidation or reprisal”.
“We kindly request that this submission be considered in line with the Constitution, the Rules of the National Assembly, and relevant judicial precedents. We further request that the Speaker consult with relevant stakeholders and decide on this matter at the earliest opportunity, given the urgency of the motion, read the letter.