/ 17 April 2018

Vote of no confidence in Mahumapelo postponed

Mahumapelo says Ramaphosa supporters will put the ANC at “risk” by calling for a recount.
Mahumapelo's fall from grace was characterised by violent protests throughout his province earlier this year. (Rajesh Jantilal/M&G)

The motion of no confidence in North West premier Supra Mahumapelo tabled by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has been postponed following the EFF’s application for an urgent interdict to force the speaker of the provincial legislature to hold a secret ballot for the vote.

READ MORE: EFF to force secret ballot in vote of no confidence against Supra Mahumapelo

The motion was due to be heard on Tuesday morning but the speaker Susan Dantjie postponed the debate following a request from the EFF to do so as the party is still waiting for the court to make a decision on the request for a secret ballot.

The party said it had asked the speaker to allow for a secret vote, but their request was turned down. The legislature is due to hear the motion on Tuesday.

EFF North West leader Bessie Diale told News24 that: “The secret ballot is important, as we anticipate some votes from ANC members in order for our motion to succeed. Unfortunately, we can’t put them at risk of being fired or being penalised for that, so we need to protect all our voters in this respect to ensure that they are free.”

For the motion to succeed, the EFF which has five out of the 33 seats in the legislature would need to have at least eight ANC MPLs, the four Democratic Alliance seats and the Freedom Front Plus’s one seat voting with them. The ANC has 23 seats in the legislature. – News24