The EFF has accused the ANC caucus of undermining the credibility of Wednesday’s virtual vote on a motion of no confidence in National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, saying the online sitting wasted taxpayers’ money and descended into chaos.
Image: Zwelethemba Kostile / ParliamentofRSA.
The EFF has slammed the ANC caucus for insisting on an online sitting during the motion of no confidence in National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, claiming the online sitting wasted taxpayers’ money, was chaotic, and fell short of a credible vote.
Didiza survived her first motion of no confidence on Wednesday, with 282 MPs voting against it and 101 in support.
The motion was tabled by EFF leader Julius Malema in June over allegations of bias in Didiza's handling of legal matters linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa's impeachment inquiry.
The debate and vote took place on Wednesday afternoon through a virtual platform.
The EFF accused Didiza of failing to protect Parliament by choosing not to oppose Ramaphosa's application for an interdict to halt the proceedings.
The party also accused Didiza of failing to discharge her constitutional responsibilities with independence, impartiality and integrity.
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.
While GNU partners, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), said they disagreed with Didiza's handling of legal matters involving Ramaphosa's court challenges, they also said a case had not been made for her removal.
Build One South Africa (BOSA), Patriotic Alliance, IFP, ActionSA, PAC, Rise Mzansi, Al Jama-ah and the PAC did not support the motion.
However, the EFF received support from the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), African Transformation Movement (ATM), National Coloured Congress (NCC) and United Africans Transformation (UAT).
The sitting was held entirely virtually, with only deputy speaker Annelie 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. Only a few MPs were absent, including Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who was hospitalised.
EFF national spokesperson Thembi Msane said the party noted the decision of the majority of National Assembly members not to vote in support of the motion.
“While disappointed, the EFF is not surprised, as parties chose to prioritise their neoliberal coalition, the so-called Government of National Unity, over Parliament's constitutional duty to hold the Executive accountable.”
“This is the same ANC that voted against establishing an impeachment committee on the Section 89 Phala Phala report, a decision later found unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.”
“The EFF maintains under former Speakers Baleka Mbete and Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nakula, Parliament was similarly complicit in shielding the Executive, over Nkandla and Phala Phala respectively.”
She said Didiza had continued this tradition, failing to oppose Ramaphosa's attempts to use the courts to halt the Section 89 process.
“The debate itself exposed the calibre of some Members.”
The EFF condemned the ANC caucus for insisting on an online sitting, as opposed to a physical sitting, on the pretext of doing election work.
“It was exposed as dishonest when the party gathered its own members at the Woodstock, Gardens Court venue in Cape Town.”
“This wasted taxpayers' money on unused parliamentary facilities and produced a chaotic vote, with members disconnected and uncertainty over who was entitled to vote, undermining any prospect of a credible secret ballot.”
She argued that the process was therefore far from fair.
“Nevertheless, the EFF accepts the outcome, and extends its appreciation to the progressive caucus and every Member who supported the motion.
“Your support will never be in vain.”
Msane said the EFF was not deterred.
“We are not guided by stomach politics or the pursuit of positions within the GNU.
“The vote may have protected the Speaker today, but it has not resolved the questions raised about her conduct.”
“We will continue to fight for the constitutional right of a legislature that holds the executive accountable without fear or favour,” she added.
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