Maphatsoe ‘worried’ Mbeki wants ANC MPs to vote with opposition

There must be something wrong with former president Thabo Mbeki if he is calling on ANC MPs to vote with opposition parties on a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma, says Umkhonto We Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) chairperson Kebby Maphatsoe.

Speaking to EWN on Tuesday morning, Maphatsoe appeared to disagree with Mbeki’s article in The Star newspaper urging ANC MPs to put the country first as public representative serving in parliament.

Maphatsoe said MPs were deployed to the national legislature by their political parties.

“We are worried that our former president, who we loved, can say that ANC members must vote with opposition parties that used to oppress us,” he said.

In his article, Mbeki said the Constitutional Court in the Nkandla judgment had clarified the role of MPs as public representatives.

“In this context, consistent with its Constitutional mandate, among others, the Constitutional Court explained the place, role and tasks of our MPs, and therefore the National Legislature, strictly as defined by our constitution.

“It stated, correctly, that our MPs serve in Parliament as representatives of the people.”

National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete has until Tuesday afternoon to file her response with the Constitutional Court in a case brought by the United Democratic Movement asking the court to allow next week Tuesday’s special vote on the motion through a secret ballot.

Mbete had previously said there was no rule of parliament that allowed MPs to vote through a secret ballot on a vote of no confidence in the president.

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