Only Maimane can withdraw motion of no confidence - Parliament
12 April 2017
Cape Town - National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete does not have the power to withdraw the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma, Parliament said on Wednesday.
Only Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane could withdraw the motion, as he had asked for it.
Opposition parties have called for the motion, scheduled for next Tuesday, to be postponed. This was after the Constitutional Court on Tuesday granted the United Democratic Movement direct access to argue its case that MPs be allowed to vote via secret ballot.
The court gave parties wishing to oppose the application until 12:00 on Thursday to file papers, and the UDM until 16:00 next Wednesday to file its reply.