Phala Phala debate in Parliament: ‘Vote by secret ballot declined’

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) chief whip Floyd Shivambu requested a secret ballot since members of parliament have been threatened by their party.

Shivambu said it is “objectively and conclusively reactionary and suppressive of the democratic process and rights of members of Parliament to want to say that they must vote on an open ballot”.

Despite this, Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula ruled against the secret ballot, saying the decision was made for the vote to be a public roll call.

This decision was heavily opposed by members of the EFF who said a vote must be taken on the Speaker’s decision.

After a back-and-forth between the Speaker, EFF and ATM members, Mapisa-Nqakula said her decision stands.

The Speaker stood her ground, saying none of the letters she received from opposing parties mentioned the same concerns as highlighted by the EFF.

“I have made a determination on the basis of your own submission, on the basis of the national programming committee held last week,” she said.

“I did apply my mind to that, and I took a decision based on the submission and based on the decision of the NAPC (National Assembly Programme Committee).

She said the matter of death threats currently being investigated by the police is not relevant to the proceedings today, the focus will be on the “report before us today only”.

President of the African Transformation Movement (ATM) Vuyolwethu Zungula said the Speaker must not use her personal views to make a decision on the secret ballot.

Referring to the death threats reportedly sent via SMS to several members on Monday night, Zungula said: “How can you say that is not reason enough to grant a secret ballot”.

According to Vuyolwethu, PAC MP Mzwanele Nyhontso was one of the members who received a death threat. It has since been confirmed that police are investigating the threat.

EFF MP Veronica Mente pointed out, when opposition parties submitted their letters, “the [death] threats were not there”.

She said if Mapisa-Nqakula continues with the public vote, people will die and the Speaker will have blood on her hands.

EFF MP Veronica Mente says when they wrote to her, the threat was not there. She suggests that Mapisa-Nqakula take five minutes and apply her mind.

Despite this, Mapisa-Nqakula said: “All parties that have written to the Speaker, the Speaker has since responded to the issues you have raised”.

She said her decision stands.

“I now rule that we proceed with the debate on the report.”