ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the ruling party does not need a secret ballot when voting on the Section 194 Committee report that will determine the fate of suspended Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Mashatile was answering questions from journalists during an engagement organised by the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association (PGA).
The PGA invited Mashatile as Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
“This is how we work in Parliament. The ANC is led by the Chief Whip and there is a caucus that meets, we look at issues and decide on how we are going to proceed. Where we are now, our caucus has not called for secret ballot which I don’t think it’s a problem. The issue around Mkhwebane in the ANC is a straight issue. We don’t spend sleepless nights about it. So, we know how we are going to vote, come the day. So, we don’t need secret ballot, we are very clear on how we vote on that matter.”
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has declined requests from ATM and UDM for a secret ballot voting on Section 194 committee. The Committee was investigating suspended Public Protector Adv Busisiwe Mkhweban’s fitness to hold office.
The report has recommended that Mkhwebane be removed from office. Mapisa-Nqakula says among the reasons, that led her to decline the secret ballot, is that she that a closed voting procedure will deprive citizens who have a significant public interest in the matter, from identifying their representatives’ positions and holding them accountable.
She added that she has considered the prevailing atmosphere in the National Assembly and the country at large and found it is not toxic or highly charged.
The voting on the report to consider Mkhwebane’s fate will be conducted in terms of an open call at a physical sitting on Monday.
