Cape Town – The National Assembly will next week debate and vote on a motion of no confidence in Speaker Thoko Didiza, setting the stage for a potentially tense showdown over her handling of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment proceedings.
According to SABC News, the motion will be considered on Wednesday, 26 August, after it was tabled by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.
The motion relates to Didiza’s decision not to oppose Ramaphosa’s application in the Western Cape High Court to stop Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment inquiry against him.
The EFF has accused Didiza of failing to defend Parliament’s constitutional authority and processes in the matter.
Eyewitness News (EWN) reported that the motion will be dealt with during a virtual sitting of the National Assembly, a decision that has already sparked objections from the EFF.
EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi argued that MPs should be physically present when considering a motion seeking to remove the Speaker.
“We can’t remove you virtually. We must all be there in order to see that day, that it’s going accordingly,” Mkhaliphi said, according to EWN.
The disagreement comes as Parliament operates under arrangements agreed to before its winter recess, which allow MPs to spend more time campaigning ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli defended the decision to hold the sitting virtually, saying MPs should not be required to travel to Cape Town during the election campaign.
“We are meeting to do many other things, including debating the motion of the EFF in their quest to have the Speaker removed, so they shouldn’t be worried that it will be downplayed when it is a virtual discussion,” Ntuli said.
The proposed sitting has also raised questions over how the vote on the motion will be conducted.
The report said that while Parliament’s rules and the Constitution provide for motions of no confidence to be considered during sittings of the National Assembly, Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet is expected to consult party whips on the voting process.
The motion against Didiza stems from the ongoing dispute over the Section 89 inquiry into Ramaphosa.
Malema has previously criticised Didiza for not opposing the president’s court application, arguing that Parliament should have defended its impeachment process.
The Section 89 inquiry was established to investigate allegations of misconduct against Ramaphosa following the Phala Phala farm robbery.
The motion against Didiza comes as Parliament prepares for an increasingly busy political period ahead of the local government elections.
The National Assembly is expected to debate the motion on 26 August, with MPs then set to vote on whether Didiza should remain as Speaker.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@SAgovnews
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
