Why there’s still no decision from Mbete on the secret ballot: report
National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete will likely be breaking a few promises surrounding the secret ballot this coming Tuesday.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Mbete said she is still agonising over what to do with the vote, but denied that she was employing delaying tactics to avoid a possible court challenge by opposition parties.
“You don’t wish to be me, it’s a difficult place to be…It’s what Sotho people call kgomo ya moshate [damned if you do, damned if you don’t],” she said.
Despite the Constitutional Court finding that only Mbete had the power to allow a secret ballot, opposition parties have already indicated they will take her to court if she refuses to do so.
In addition, Mbete may have to go back on her own word after she promised a secret ballot if given the power to do so by the Constitutional Court – this is because, like any ANC MP on the day, party loyalty will be a factor in her decision, the paper said.
However, Mbete is also said to have presidential ambitions herself – and a successful no confidence vote would result in her automatically immediately becoming president for up to 30 days.
Mbete said she was still consulting her senior counsel on what to do and would announce her decision on Monday.
She said she would not be “bullied” by opposition parties into making a hasty decision and said they should stop abusing her.
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