Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete has given the go ahead for a secret ballot on tomorrow’s Motion of No Confidence debate against President Jacob Zuma.

Making the announcement‚ Mbete said she had taken “due and impartial consideration of all the factors” in making her decision.

She said she was mindful of the fact that a motion of no confidence was a “powerful tool towards holding the president to account” and that MPs are obliged to to act in accordance with the Constitution above party allegiances.

Mbete said while it was important that parliament was seen to be conducting its business in an open and transparent way‚ the people of South Africa “look to Parliament for symbols of hope”.

She said by allowing for a secret ballot‚ they would “use the opportunity to show responsiveness to our people”.

Mbete said she believed her decision was “in the best interests of our country” and would put “the resilience of the democratic institution to the test”.

Mbete said she had given consideration to the “toxified and highly charged environment” as well as to threats to MPs choosing to vote with their consciences in making her decision.

She added she would not recuse herself from the motion of no confidence as she found claims that she could not be impartial to be “reprehensible and unpalatable”.

Despite calling a press conference to make the announcement‚ Mbete said there would be no opportunity for questions.

In June‚ the Constitutional Court ruled that there was scope in the Parliamentary rules for a secret ballot‚ and ordered Mbete to make the decision.

The matter was taken to court by the United Democratic Movement.

At the weekend‚ Mbete told the Sunday Times that she had not been delaying making the decision‚ but that it had been a difficult process.

The motion will take place at 2 pm tomorrow (Tuesday 8 August 2017).

Earlier on Monday‚ constitutional activist Lawson Naidoo said Mbete’s delay in announcing her decision on the no confidence ballot “smacks of arrogance”.

Addressing the Cape Town Press Club this afternoon‚ Naidoo‚ the executive secretary for the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution‚ said that had Mbete taken a decision shortly after receiving political party submissions on July 14‚ it would have been difficult to argue that her decision was irrational because there was a “strong argument for openness and transparency” in the way in which Parliament conducts its business.

But‚ he said the 46 day delay‚ “calls into question her bona fides” especially given threats of violence and intimidation of MPs.

Naidoo also questioned Mbete’s ability to remain neutral in the debate.

In July‚ Mbete told media on the sidelines of the ANC policy conference‚ “It’s really of no major material basis that technically the votes would be either secret or not because at the end of the day‚ ANC MPs know how to vote. They have done it seven times. So this eighth time can’t be different‚ it doesn’t matter whether is secret or no secret.”

Lawson said: “So having instructed MPs how to vote‚ she will then preside over the debate.” </s> Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete has given the go-ahead for a secret ballot in Tuesday's debate on a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.

Making the announcement on Monday afternoon‚ Mbete said she had taken "due and impartial consideration of all the factors" in making her decision.

She said she was mindful of the fact that a motion of no confidence was a "powerful tool towards holding the president to account" and that MPs were obliged to to act in accordance with the Constitution above party allegiances.

Mbete said while it was important that Parliament was seen to be conducting its business in an open and transparent way‚ the people of South Africa "look to Parliament for symbols of hope".

She said by allowing a secret ballot‚ Parliament would "use the opportunity to show responsiveness to our people".

Mbete said she believed her decision was "in the best interests of our country" and would put "the resilience of the democratic institution to the test".

She also said she had considered the "toxified and highly charged environment" and threats made to MPs who chose to vote according to their conscience.

She added she would not recuse herself from the debate on the motion of no confidence as she found claims that she could not be impartial to be "reprehensible and unpalatable".

Despite calling a press conference to make the announcement‚ Mbete said there would be no opportunity for questions.

In June‚ the Constitutional Court ruled there was scope in the parliamentary rules for a secret ballot‚ and ordered Mbete to make the decision.

The matter was taken to court by the United Democratic Movement.

At the weekend‚ Mbete told the Sunday Times that she had not been delaying making the decision‚ but that it had been a difficult process.

The debate on the motion will take place at 2pm on Tuesday.

Earlier on Monday‚ constitutional activist Lawson Naidoo said Mbete's delay in announcing her decision on the no-confidence ballot "smacks of arrogance".

Addressing the Cape Town Press Club‚ Naidoo‚ the executive secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution‚ said that had Mbete taken a decision shortly after receiving political party submissions on July 14‚ it would have been difficult to argue that her decision was irrational because there was a "strong argument for openness and transparency" in the way in which Parliament conducted its business.

But‚ he said, the 46-day delay "calls into question her bona fides", especially given threats of violence against and intimidation of MPs.

Naidoo also questioned Mbete's ability to remain neutral in the debate.

In July‚ Mbete told the media on the sidelines of the ANC policy conference: "It’s really of no major material basis that technically the votes would be either secret or not, because at the end of the day‚ ANC MPs know how to vote. They have done it seven times. So this eighth time can’t be different‚ it doesn’t matter whether it is secret or no secret."

Lawson said: "So, having instructed MPs how to vote‚ she will then preside over the debate." </s> CAPE TOWN, Aug 8 (Reuters) - South Africa's President Jacob Zuma survived a no-confidence motion against him in parliament on Tuesday by garnering 198 votes to the opposition's 177 votes as African National Congress lawmakers rallied to his support.

There were nine abstentions in the secret ballot.

Zuma, 75, who has held power since 2009 but whose time in office has been dogged by allegations of corruption, has now survived nine no-confidence votes thanks to loyal voting by ANC lawmakers.

The rand fell by 1 percent after the announcement of the vote outcome. (Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Richard Balmforth) </s> South Africa's parliament will vote by secret ballot Tuesday on a motion of no confidence on President Jacob Zuma, the legislative body's speaker announced.

Monday's surprise announcement on the vote, which could end Zuma's presidency, was made by National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete at a news conference in Cape Town. She said her decision shows that parliament is responsive to the public.

"The people of South Africa look to parliament to give direction in challenging times. The people of South Africa also look to parliament for signals of hope," said Mbete, a longtime Zuma ally.

Mosiuoa Lekota, leader of the opposition Congress of the People, described the secret ballot as "groundbreaking."

"It places the responsibility of the motion of no confidence squarely on the shoulders of the men and women who sit in the National Assembly," Lekota told reporters.

Scores of anti-Zuma protesters marched through Cape Town to the parliament building Monday. Larger demonstrations, both for and against Zuma, are planned for Tuesday at the parliament building before the vote.

Opposition parties have lobbied for months for an anonymous no-confidence vote to provide cover to disgruntled members of Zuma's African National Congress who may fear coming out against their leader in an open ballot.

The motion, which was introduced by the opposition Democratic Alliance, needs 201 out of 400 votes to succeed. The ANC holds 246 parliamentary seats, but several members have already indicated publicly that they will vote against Zuma.

In June, the nation's highest court said it was up to the speaker of parliament to decide whether the vote could be done by secret ballot.

Zuma, dogged by corruption scandals and waning popularity, has faced public calls for his resignation by leading members of his own party, the African National Congress. The ANC has told its lawmakers to vote against the motion, intending to use its parliamentary majority to back Zuma, as it has in earlier attempts to oust him.

"Voting in favor of this motion will be tantamount to throwing a nuclear bomb at our country," an Aug. 4 statement from the office of ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu said.

In recent weeks, two ANC lawmakers who publicly said they intended to vote against Zuma were quickly censured by the party. Zuma has survived six earlier no- confidence votes since becoming president in 2009. </s> South Africa’s President Zuma faces a motion of no-confidence as MPs vote in a secret ballot shortly.

Opposition parties believe that MPs from the governing African National Congress (ANC) would be more likely to vote against the president if their vote is secret.

Rival protests have been held in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, where the vote will take place.

Mr Zuma has so far survived seven no-confidence votes – none held in secret.

The parliament’s speaker, Baleka Mbete, made the decision to hold the vote in secret on Monday, after opposition parties took the case to the Constitutional Court.

The debate in parliament is under way, with the opposition parties pleading with ANC MPs to “vote with their conscience”.

At least 50 out of the ANC’s 249 MPs would need to vote against the president in order for the no-confidence motion to pass.

“Today our choice is between right and wrong; between good and evil,” the Democratic Alliance’s Mmusi Maimane said, while Andries Tlouamma, deputy president of the Agang party, warned if Mr Zuma survived then South Africa was “on a highway to hell”.

Meanwhile, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, of the opposition Inkatha Freedom Party, said President Jacob Zuma has “trampled on the constitution” and has “sold the country to the highest bidder”.

But Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told the gathered MPs the vote was “akin to a coup”.

“My conscience tells me we all need to respect the voters who brought us here,” she said, urging MPs to wait until the 2019 election, when the people would make their voices heard.

Mr Zuma will not be standing in 2019.

How does the vote work?

Following a 90-minute debate, the House will adjourn to prepare for the vote.

A bell will then be rung and MPs called in alphabetical order to collect their ballot papers. There are three options on the ballot paper: Yes, No or Abstain.

After each MP has voted, the ballot boxes will be sealed.

A representative from each party will be called to witness the count. The counting room will be guarded by the Sergeant-in-Arms, under the supervision of the party representatives and Speaker.

Finally, the bell will be rung again and the speaker will announce the results.

Criticism of Mr Zuma has increased this year, after he fired his widely-respected finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, in March.

This came amid accusations that the president had become too close to the wealthy Gupta family, who are accused of trying to influence politician decisions – including the sacking of Mr Gordhan.

Mr Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing.

Johannesburg police are on high alert ahead of the vote, the city’s Councillor for Public Safety, Michael Sun, said in a statement.

Although allegations of corruption have dogged Mr Zuma for years now, a growing number from within his party have publicly called on him to step down, the BBC’s Milton Nkosi in Cape Town says.

Some, like ANC MP Makhosi Khoza, have even received death threats for speaking out against the president.

She said that a vote for the motion will not be a vote against the ANC, but a vote against corruption.

But our correspondent says that Mr Zuma still enjoys a considerable amount of support from his party – the question now is how many of his MPs are prepared to take a stand against him.

Mr Zuma is due to step down as head of the ANC in December, ahead of the 2019 general election.

He has endorsed his ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as his successor.

Also vying for the leadership is Cyril Ramaphosa, a former trade unionist and one of South Africa’s wealthiest politicians. </s> Cape Town (AFP) - South African President Jacob Zuma faces a no-confidence vote by secret ballot in parliament Tuesday, with opponents hoping that discontented ANC lawmakers could help oust him from office.

Criticism of Zuma from within the African National Congress (ANC) has grown over corruption scandals and economic woes, and the celebrated party of Nelson Mandela has declined sharply at the polls.

But the ANC -- which holds a large majority in parliament -- welcomed the decision to hold the vote by secret ballot and said it expected the no-confidence motion to fail.

Several opposition parties will lead a protest to the national assembly in Cape Town on Tuesday ahead of the parliamentary session due to begin at 2:00 pm (1200 GMT).

"ANC MPs now have no excuse. They must use their vote... to remove Jacob Zuma," the main opposition Democratic Alliance party said after the speaker of parliament made a surprise decision Monday to hold the ballot in secret.

Zuma has easily survived several previous parliamentary votes held without secret balloting.

A 201-vote majority would be needed to remove him from power, and the ANC holds 249 seats in the 400-seat parliament. His cabinet would also be forced to resign.

"It's a long shot to expect a significant number of ANC MPs to vote against their own party and let the opposition claim this big political scalp," independent analyst Daniel Silke told AFP.

Zuma, 75, is due to step down as head of the ANC in December, and as president before the 2019 general election -- lessening pressure for his party to trigger imminent change.

The secret ballot has been subject to a long legal battle waged by opposition parties, who hope that ANC lawmakers will now be emboldened to vote against him without fear of intimidation.

Last week ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu acknowledged recent criticism of the party, including the impact of a cabinet reshuffle in March when respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan was replaced with a Zuma loyalist.

Gordhan's sacking led to a string of downgrades to South Africa's credit rating as well as causing the rand currency to tumble.

Public support for the ANC, which swept to power under Mandela in the first non-racial elections in 1994, slipped to 55 percent in last year's local polls -- its worst-ever result.

A handful of MPs, including Gordhan, have joined calls from anti-apartheid veterans and trade unions for Zuma to resign, as South Africa endures record unemployment and a recession.

Zuma has been engulfed by corruption allegations since coming to office in 2009.

A court last year found him guilty of violating the constitution after he refused to repay taxpayers' money used to refurbish his private rural house.

He has been accused of being in the sway of the wealthy Gupta business family, allegedly granting them influence over government appointments, contracts and state-owned businesses.

He is also fighting a court order that could reinstate almost 800 corruption charges against him over a multi-billion dollar arms deal in the 1990s.

Zuma is seen as favouring his ex-wife, former African Union chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to succeed him ahead of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. </s> In the build-up to today’s much-anticipated secret ballot no-confidence vote in President Jacob Zuma, the EFF’s advocate Dali Mpofu took to Twitter to couch the vote as a choice between South Africa and the ruling party.

He reminded people that Zuma had said the ANC “is more important than South Africa” while speaking in 2015, a comment that evoked much criticism.

Mpofu said that today’s vote would determine if his comrades in parliament agreed with him.

The EFF has gone to great lengths to say that they do not see today’s vote as an anti-ANC matter, merely a motion against a man who was found by the Constitutional Court to have broken his oath of office.

Outspoken ANC member and former tourism minister Derek Hanekom has also been vocal since the secret ballot was announced. He sees a no vote against Zuma as a vote against state capture, massive looting and corruption. He added that he was expecting enough ANC MPs to do the “right thing”.

“I also have confidence that ANC MPs will do the right thing, and serve their country and Constitution.”

The DA and other opposition parties also welcomed the secret ballot and described it as a unique opportunity for MPs to vote as they truly felt for the first time.

Some on Twitter are already predicting how Zuma is likely to celebrate though after surviving yet another motion of no confidence (his eighth in eight years). </s> JOHANNESBURG – President Jacob Zuma survived a no-confidence vote Tuesday in the seventh and most serious attempt to unseat him after months of growing anger in South Africa over alleged corruption and a sinking economy. But his African National Congress party, which has ruled since the end of apartheid, continued to fracture.

The latest vote to try to dislodge Zuma was the first held by secret ballot after parliamentary speaker Baleka Mbete made the surprise decision to allow it. Opposition parties hoped it would encourage ANC legislators to vote against Zuma without fear of retaliation.

Instead, ANC members in the chamber began singing shortly before the results were announced, while supporters outside started to dance.

A jubilant Zuma, who would have had to resign with his Cabinet if the motion had succeeded, promised the ANC would win the next election in 2019 “in a big number once again.” He dismissed “propaganda” that said his party no longer has the people’s support. Then he broke into song.

“We will never endorse or vote in favor of any motion that seeks to cripple our country,” the ANC said, calling the vote an attempt to remove the party from power.

Of the 384 votes cast, 177 were in favor of the no-confidence motion and 198 were against, with nine abstentions. The no-confidence motion needed 201 votes to succeed.

Dozens of ANC members ended up supporting the no-confidence motion, as the ruling party holds 249 of the 400 parliament seats, five of them currently vacant. Some party members denounced those who voted against Zuma as sellouts, and chief whip Jackson Mthembu said the party would consider disciplining them.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance party said after the vote that “the majority of the ANC have chosen corruption, looting” over the country’s interests. Its no-confidence motion said Zuma had “lost all sense of rationality and sound judgment,” harming the country’s poorest citizens. More than a quarter of the country’s workers are unemployed.

Widespread frustration over Zuma has hurt the ANC, the former liberation movement of Nelson Mandela that has led South Africa since the end of white minority rule and the first all-race elections in 1994. Some longtime party members and anti-apartheid activists have openly called on Zuma to go.

On Tuesday, former President Thabo Mbeki said ANC lawmakers must “recall that they are the representatives of the people,” according to a video posted by a Nairobi-based journalist on Twitter.

Many predicted the vote would fail, saying most members of the decades-old party would hesitate to make any major leadership changes initiated by the opposition.

“For me, it’s among the biggest reasons for the failure of African liberation movements, this misplaced loyalty to the end for the sake of holding it together,” said William Gumede, executive chairman of the Johannesburg-based Democracy Works Foundation.

Demonstrations both for and against the 75-year-old Zuma, who has led South Africa since 2009, took place in front of the parliament building in Cape Town before the vote.

“As you can see, thousands of people have reached the end of their tether in terms of what is happening in our beautiful country, our beautiful, diverse country that we should enjoy but we can’t enjoy because millions of our people are without jobs,” said one protester, Johnnie Jacobs.

“We have got to get rid of this man before he destroys everything that we have all worked so hard for,” said another protester, Anne Shirley.

While Zuma’s term continues until elections in 2019, there have been calls from within the ANC for him to quit earlier and allow the party to build up support before the vote. The party is expected to replace Zuma as ANC president at a meeting in December.

The reputation of Zuma, who spent a decade in prison for his anti-apartheid activities and has been popular among some South Africans for his personal warmth and populist policies, has been tarnished by allegations of impropriety.

Last year, the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously that Zuma “failed to uphold” the constitution by not paying back some of the $20 million-plus in state money used to upgrade his rural home. Zuma’s ties to the Gupta family, immigrant businessmen accused of trying to manipulate government leaders and state companies for financial gain, also have stirred public anger.

The president’s firing of widely respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan in a Cabinet reshuffle in March led two agencies, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, to lower South Africa’s credit rating to below investment grade, or junk status. </s> SOUTH AFRICA’S third post-apartheid President, Jacob Zuma has survived a Democratic Alliance-led bid to remove him from office through a vote of no confidence.

198 legislators voted against the motion to vote out Zuma whilst 177 voted for. A total of 384 votes were cast through secret ballot. News24 reports that about 30 ANC MPs voted for Zuma to be removed. A simple majority of 201 votes was required to remove Zuma as president. – Nesw24 </s> President Jacob Zuma will not be going anywhere.

So says KwaDukuza Mayor Ricardo Mthembu‚ who with hundreds of supporters‚ took to the streets in support of the first citizen on Tuesday.

They marched on the KwaDukuza Magistrate's Court to hand over a memorandum as the eighth motion of no confidence in Zuma came before parliament to be debated.

Mthembu told ANC supporters that Zuma will remain after the vote of no confidence against him.

“Today we are saying that Zuma will sleep as president and wake up as president. You must not be confused by the Speaker’s decision. We support it fully but we want to see those who talk about conscience‚” he said.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Baleka Mbete, announces that a vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma will be held by secret ballot. The vote, to be held on 8 August 2017, will be the eighth vote of no confidence against the president and the first by secret ballot.