ANC STATEMENT ON MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE

16 September 2014

The African National Congress has noted that the National Assembly will today debate the frivolous motion of no confidence being brought against the Speaker of the National Assembly, Comrade Baleka Mbete. This conduct is nothing but an empty political ploy designed to undermine the Constitution and defocus Parliament from its work.

 The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states that "At the first sitting after its election, or when necessary to fill a vacancy, the National Assembly must elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from among its members." It is therefore a futile and stillborn debate that the Speaker is partisan. Indeed she is drawn from the ranks of serving Members of Parliament, all of whom represent political parties. The Speaker is the leader of the House and her role is to enforce its rules, she further provides political leadership and strategic direction to the House. We are confident that these are constitutional and institutional mandates that Comrade Baleka Mbete has performed in an exemplary fashion, exercising the required impartiality at all times.

The African National Congress reaffirms its confidence in the Speaker and we commend her for the tough stance she is taking to protect and defend Parliament from descending into chaos driven by an unprincipled coalition whose sole defining feature is a common contempt for the ANC and its leadership.

Statement issued by Zizi Kodwa, ANC national spokesperson, September 16 2014

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