ANC will not support call for secret ballot
The ANC in Parliament says it will not support the call for a secret ballot in the no confidence motion against President Jacob Zuma.
Speaker Baleka Mbete has scheduled the debate for the motion for the 18th of April 2017 at 2.00pm.
Both the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) requested an urgent debate following President Zuma's latest cabinet reshuffle, which saw the recall of five ministers, including former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
Three former ministers have since resigned as ANC MPs; Dipuo Peters, Mcebisi Jonas and Tina Joemat-Pettersson.
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There have been widespread calls for President Zuma to be recalled by the ruling party.
ANC spokesperson Nonceba Mhlauli says they have been inundated with mischievous calls, text messages and emails by faceless individuals and organisations lobbying them to disregard the party line and vote in accordance with their individual taste.
"These calls are not only disingenuous, but also highly unfortunate as they seek to suggest that ANC MPs are free agents open to all sorts of mischievous lobbying and manipulation by the opposition and other forces," says Mhlauli.
Mhlauli says as ANC members of parliament, they derive their political mandate from the organisation.
"We will abide by the decision of the ANC National Working Committee as announced by ANC Secretary General comrade Gwede Mantashe that the ANC does not and will not support this motion."