ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile stated that the ruling party does not see the need for a secret ballot when voting on the Section 194 Committee report, which will ultimately decide the fate of suspended Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Mashatile made these remarks during an engagement organized by the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association (PGA), where he was invited in his capacity as the Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
He explained that the ANC’s approach to such matters in Parliament is straightforward. The party is led by the Chief Whip, and they convene caucuses to deliberate on issues and determine their course of action. In the case of Mkhwebane, the ANC has not called for a secret ballot because they are resolute in their stance and have a clear voting strategy.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has rejected requests from the ATM and UDM parties for a secret ballot on the Section 194 committee’s report. This committee was investigating Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office and has recommended her removal. Mapisa-Nqakula’s rationale for declining the secret ballot includes the belief that it would prevent citizens with a significant public interest in the matter from knowing their representatives’ positions and holding them accountable.
She also noted that the prevailing atmosphere in the National Assembly and the country at large is not overly charged or toxic. As a result, the voting on the report to determine Mkhwebane’s fate will be conducted as an open call during a physical sitting on Monday. This decision emphasizes transparency and accountability in the parliamentary process.
Source:
ANC doesn’t need secret ballot to vote on Mkhwebane’s fate: Mashatile
Content created and supplied by: Tymer (via Opera
News )
