Didiza survives EFF motion of no confidence, supported by DA and other parties

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has survived an EFF-led motion of no confidence over her handling of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment proceedings.

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has survived her first motion of no confidence, tabled by the EFF over allegations of bias in her handling of legal matters linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment inquiry.

The debate and vote took place on Wednesday afternoon through a virtual platform.

The motion was tabled in June by EFF leader Julius Malema over Didiza’s handling of the impeachment process against Ramaphosa.

The EFF said Didiza failed to protect Parliament by choosing not to oppose Ramaphosa’s application for an interdict to halt the proceedings.

The Red Berets accused Didiza of failing to discharge her constitutional responsibilities with independence, impartiality and integrity.

Didiza said she had chosen to abide by the court’s ruling, while the impeachment committee, through its chairperson, Makhashule Gana, filed a notice to oppose the application.

During the debate, the EFF, MK Party, UTA, ACDP, ATM and NCC indicated that they would support the motion.

However, the ANC, DA, Build One South Africa (BOSA), Patriotic Alliance, IFP, Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, PAC, Rise Mzansi, Al Jama-ah and PAC said they would not support it.

To remove the Speaker of the National Assembly, a resolution requires a majority of the votes cast, provided that a quorum is present.

A quorum requires a majority of the 400 members of the National Assembly, meaning at least 201 members must be present.

A simple majority – 50% plus one of the members present and voting – is required for the motion to pass.

The Deputy Speaker, Annelie Lotriet, announced that each MP would be called by name to register their vote.

The sitting was held entirely virtually, with only Lotriet seated in the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament. All ANC MPs were called to a single location in Cape Town, from where they voted. Only a few, like the hospitalised Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, were absent.