[LIVE BLOG] The Decision: ConCourt rules National Assembly speaker CAN authorise #SecretBallot vote

Monday 26 June 2017 | 04:31PM

[LIVE BLOG] The Decision: ConCourt rules National Assembly speaker CAN authorise #SecretBallot vote

The Constitutional Court has delivered its judgment in the case dealing with Parliament's ability to allow MPs to cast secret ballots in a no-confidence vote.

Watch proceedings live here:

ConCourt to rule in #SecretBallot
Posted by Eyewitness News on Thursday, 22 June 2017

Full Article

Highlights

Let's take a look at some reaction following the ruling

#SecretBallot As we wait for the speaker to hang herself.
— Miss R (@ramonamakh) June 22, 2017

Again Mbete has wasted taxpayers money for stalling in her job! #legalcosts #SecretBallot
— the uncapturable one (@_Paledi) June 22, 2017

If you were in any doubt about how much #SecretBallot judgement means to South Africans pic.twitter.com/tbVCmEP541
— Aislinn Laing (@Simmoa) June 22, 2017

Will the speaker grant #SecretBallot though? She's going to look for ways around this...
— Remember #16June76 (@nthabiseng_ms) June 22, 2017

South Africa is in the safe hands in our Judicial system. Mbethe all along was playing us. #SecretBallot
— Bayeni (@ndleloms) June 22, 2017

Opposition parties KNEW they'd get THIS outcome..many said so...but the costs bit must have been a sweet surprise né
— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) June 22, 2017

The President and the Speaker have been ordered to pay the costs of the UDM, EFF, IFP & Cope.

That's a lot of moola!

BREAKING NEWS: The Constitutional Court rules National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete does have the power to authorise a secret ballot during a motion of no-confidence against the president.

Mogoeng: The speaker made it clear she was not opposed to allowing a motion of no confidence, only whether a secret ballot was permissible and constitutional.

#SecretBallot Mogoeng seems to be throwing the ball back to the speaker to decide. He did say rules empower her to Prescribe secret ballot.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 22, 2017

Mogoeng says Baleka Mbete was mistaken by first stating she didn't have the power to institute a secret ballot during a motion of no confidence against the President

Mogoeng: There must always be a rational basis for the decision the speaker makes when considering the vote.

Mogoeng: The power that vests in the speaker belongs to the people and must thus not be exercised arbitrarily or whimsically.

Comment: That is a powerful statement for us all to remember, every time the National Assembly sits.

Mogoeng says the National Assembly has the power to make a determination on which procedure to follow to vote in a motion of no confidence.

The Chief Justice reminds us that the Constitution is s silent on procedure to remove a president through a motion of no confidence.

#SecretBallot Mogoeng "Motion of no confidence exists to strengthen mechanisms
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 22, 2017

#SecretBallot Mogoeng "motion of no confidence is potentially more devastating than impeachment.lt doesn't require wrongdoing"CM
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 22, 2017

#SecretBallot Mogoeng "constitution provides 2 processes where Pres can be removed,impeachment & motion of no confidence" CM
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 22, 2017

Mogoeng: A motion of no confidence can sometimes be more devastating than an impeachment. A motion of no confidence doesn't need a two-thirds majority and it would have wider implications, not just for the president, but for his/her deputies too.

Mogoeng: There may come a time when [regular] measures aren't effective [to hold the president and his/her cabinet to account].

Mogoeng: MPs must ensure that the will of the people finds expression through the institutions which serve them.

The court isn't taking this matter lightly.

#SecretBallot Mogoeng says this matter deserves to be prioritized within reasonable time. CM
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 22, 2017

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng is reading through the Constitutional Court's judgment. Remember, this is a unanimous judgment, meaning all the justices who are hearing the case have agreed.

CJ Mogoeng: parliament MUST oversee president & cabinet & hold them accountable in line with Constitutional duties. #SecretBallot
— AC Fick (@acfick72) June 22, 2017

Mogoeng says "amandla awethu" is not just sloganeering but articulate that all state power & resources are for the common good #SecretBallot
— Gugulethu Mhlungu (@GugsM) June 22, 2017

Yaaaassss! The memes come out.

#SecretBallot remember our President he never disappoint! pic.twitter.com/jk2r9vDDMj
— Official PSL Fans (@fans_psl) June 22, 2017

The UDM has received support from a broad spectrum of opposition parties, as they push to have President Jacob Zuma removed.

#SecretBallot Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota greeting UDM leader Bantu Holomisa pic.twitter.com/V3GdxfrVVy
— Ether. (@the_pixelat0r) June 22, 2017

Sitting side by side.

#SecretBallot Bantu Holomisa, UDM-leier, en James Selfe, DA se federale voorsitter, is by die konstitusionele hof. @JeanelleGrey pic.twitter.com/KObrxK1WDm
— Netwerk24 Berig (@Netwerk24Berig) June 22, 2017

The situation in the courtroom at the Constitutional Court right now.

Clarity Is expected to be given today on whether #SecretBallot is required, permitted or prohibited.CM pic.twitter.com/82L4nIPEoX
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 22, 2017

THIS! Will concessions from Zuma & Mbete's legal teams affect the final outcome?

Zuma, Mbete legal counsel concede: No downside to secret ballot

In a surprising turn in court on Monday, the president’s lawyer conceded there was no downside to the secret ballot.

This will give you an idea of what is at stake.

Malema: EFF working hard to convince ANC MPs to vote against Zuma

EFF leader Julius Malema says work is underway to lure ANC MP's to vote with them.

Cartoonists Curtis and Mgobhozi give us their take on the case before the Constitutional Court.

What we know so far:

ConCourt set to rule on Parly secret ballot vote

The Constitutional Court is on Thursday expected to make a ruling on the UDM’s application to allow for a secret ballot in Parliament.

Good morning. Welcome to EWN's live blog on the Constitutional Court's decision regarding whether MPs can cast ballots in secret during a motion of no confidence against the president.

[LIVE BLOG] The Decision: ConCourt rules National Assembly speaker CAN authorise #SecretBallot vote

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