The ANC said that it welcomed the Constitutional Court’s refusal “to be abused by opposition parties with no popular mandate wanting to co-govern with the democratically elected government of the people.”
The governing party issued a strongly-worded statement on Thursday following an application by the UDM and other parties, for clarity on the issue of a secret ballot.
The Constitutional Court's ruling was met with applause from opposition parties who said it was a victory for ordinary South Africans.
The DA called for the motion of no confidence in President Zuma to be scheduled as soon as possible.
UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa, whose party was granted the right to approach the Constitutional Court directly in the matter, said ANC MP's should now begin to read this watershed judgement which said put the people first.
But, ANC spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa, said the application sought to “call on the Constitutional Court to disregard the Doctrine of Separation of Powers and direct the National Assembly Speaker how to direct the business of Parliament.”
He said the Constitutional Court, as the final arbiters in any contested manner, had clarified that the Speaker may decide on a secret ballot. “The clarification is welcome,” he said.
“The Court however will not decide for the Speaker, the Head of the another arm of State, as to how she exercises her discretion despite the mischievous and adventurous exercise of the UDM to force this point. We are confident that the Speaker will apply her mind to the decision before her and we will respect the decision taken in this regard,” Kodwa said.
He said the ANC had full confidence in its Members of Parliament and do not doubt their revolutionary discipline and commitment to the decisions and directives of the organization.
Kodwa said that regardless of whether a secret ballot is granted or not in this matter, this motion of no confidence, like countless others before it, “is nothing but an exercise in political posturing and is condemned to failure.”
