National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is reportedly considering a request from the African Transformation Movement (ATM) for a secret ballot on the Section 194 Committee report, which recommends the removal of suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
ATM leader Vuyo Zungula has listed 16 reasons why he believes a secret ballot is necessary, the fact that the committee’s report was politically motivated and that there is a risk of intimidation of MPs.
Zungula’s request has been supported by the Democratic Alliance (DA), which has also called for a secret ballot. The ANC, however, has said that it will vote in favor of Mkhwebane’s removal, regardless of whether the vote is secret or open.
Mapisa-Nqakula is expected to make a decision on Zungula’s request in the coming days. If she grants the request, the vote on the Section 194 Committee report will be held in a secret ballot on Monday, March 7.
In a statement, ATM national spokesperson Zama Ntshona said that the call for a secret ballot is a “move to safeguard democratic processes.” He said that a secret ballot would allow MPs to vote freely, without fear of intimidation or reprisal.
The Section 194 Committee report found that Mkhwebane had deliberately misled Parliament and abused her powers. The report also found that she had failed to uphold the Constitution and the law.
If Mkhwebane is removed from office, it would be the first time that a Public Protector has been impeached in South Africa.
The decision of whether or not to hold a secret ballot is a significant one. A secret ballot would allow MPs to vote freely, but it could also lead to accusations of vote-buying or other irregularities. An open vote would be more transparent, but it could also lead to intimidation or coercion of MPs.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/100064604417137/posts/680037537493054/?mibextid=21dgnx6bkhElzLAo
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