Mbete to reveal secret ballot decision
National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete will this afternoon reveal if she will allow a secret ballot during tomorrow's motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mbete admitted that she finds herself in a difficult position - saying there are like to be repercussions no matter what she decides.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has already indicated that it is ready to head back to court should Mbete decide the vote would take place in the open.
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Opposition parties believe the umpteenth motion of no confidence in the president has a good chance of succeeding if MPs are allowed to vote in secret, with the EFF claiming up to 60 ANC MPs are ready to vote with the opposition to remove President Zuma.
The African National Congress' (ANC) Parliamentary caucus has warned its MPs to toe the party line, warning that President Zuma's removal would be tantamount to dropping a nuclear bomb on the country.
The Constitutional Court earlier ruled in favour of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), stating the decision on whether a no confidence ballot can be cast in secret or not lies with the Speaker of the National Assembly.
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Parliament's spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, yesterday confirmed that Mbete is set to announce her decision today.
"National Assembly Speaker Ms Baleka Mbete will address the media on the voting procedure to be followed when the motion of no confidence in the president of the Republic is debated on August 8," said Mothapo in a statement.