NA speaker declines ATM's request to postpone motion of no confidence in President Ramaphosa

National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has declined the request of the African Transformation Movement (ATM) to have its motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa, scheduled for Wednesday, postponed, pending the outcome of its court challenge to the Speaker's decision for its motion to be conducted by an open ballot.

‘’The Speaker advised the ATM that, as the power to postpone items on the agenda of the Assembly resided with the National Assembly Programming Committee, she could not unilaterally accede to their request.’’

 The Speaker referred the ATM to Rule 90, that of anticipation, that provides, amongst others, that no member may anticipate the discussion of a matter appearing on an order paper or agreed upon by the Programme Committee for scheduling.

The Western Cape High Court, on Monday, struck its application from the roll after it failed to prove urgency.

Mapisa-Nqakula has already declined the party’s request for a closed vote.

Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says the motion will go ahead on Wednesday.

‘’In this regard, the implication of the ATM's motion is that it will remain on the Order Paper, thereby blocking other similar motions. The Speaker has a duty to protect the rights of other parties to move motions of no confidence in the President.’’

‘’Rule 128 provides for the withdrawal and resubmission of a motion, ensuring no other party/member will be prejudiced by a motion remaining in an order paper for an undetermined period. The Speaker had given the ATM until 15:00 to indicate their decision in the light of her advise, and there was no response received from the party by the deadline,’’ added Mothapo.

 Both the motions of no confidence in the President and in the cabinet, will be debated at 14h00 on Wednesday.

 

PICTURED - Parliament: National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula

Done By: Mitchum George