MK Party Calls for Secret Ballot in Motion of No Confidence Vote, South Africans Split Over Request

• The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has approached National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza with a request
• Parliamentarians will vote on the motion of no confidence brought forward by Jacob Zuma's party
• South Africans shared their thoughts on social media about whether the MK Party's request would be granted

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party wants a secret ballot to be used when the motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa is debated in Parliament.

The party filed a motion of no confidence against the president, citing a range of concerns. The party are unhappy with the rising crime, economic situation and national security failures.

With a date yet to be set for the motion to be heard, the party has asked that a secret ballot be used for three reasons.

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What are the three reasons?

In a letter to the National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, the MK Party’s parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, explained the three reasons.

Hlophe said that the secret ballot would ensure that Members of Parliament (MPs) could vote how they wanted without fear of intimidation or reprisal. Hlope stated that the second reason was the Constitutional Court ruling in 2017, where the court affirmed that the speaker had the discretion to allow a secret ballot. The third reason was the integrity of the voting process.

“A secret ballot will safeguard the integrity of the process to reflect the true will of Members of Parliament,” Hlope said in the letter.

Why are the MK Party unhappy with Ramaphosa?

The party are not only unhappy with the president over the state of the country, but also his handling of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s allegations. The MK Party approached the Constitutional Court over his decision to place Senzo Mchunu on leave and appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia as the new Minister of Police from the beginning of August.

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uMkhonto weSizwe Party files motion of no confidence in Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africans divided

The party’s criticism of Ramaphosa was slammed by Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen, who accused it of being opportunistic.

How did South Africans react?

Social media users were divided by the news, with some questioning who would take over if Ramaphosa was removed, while others said that the African National Congress would not allow a secret ballot to happen.

Jan Kriel said:

“We all know that in the ANC parliament, there is no such thing as secret voting.”

Ta Ltee asked:

“Voting Ramaphosa out would leave us with who? Because I don’t see any of these guys being fit enough to fill those shoes.”

Lucky L. Mthombeni added:

“The MK Party thinks we all forgot that when Zuma was president, he always refused the secret ballot at all costs. These stokvel members think we are all clowns like them.”

Gcina Gee Nomela noted:

“The secret ballot will be denied, because some of the ANC MPs might vote against their president due to factionalism. The open ballot will make it difficult for other smaller parties to vote against the president, because the donations will run dry.”

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Khalanga Wa Bvuma said:

“You can't dictate what others do. We know that the GNU will vote in the President's favour.”

Aubrey Dlayani Khosa stated:

“Even if Cyril is removed, the ANC will still form a government. I don't see MK Party forming a government with DA or EFF. So, they are just wasting their time.”

Cindy Van Den Heever said:

“The biggest problem here is who will replace him? Paul?

Similo Simayile laughed:

“But Zuma never wanted a secret ballot mos. Why a secret ballot this time🤣? What comes around goes around 😂?

Phondo Gates asked:

“If Ramapuppet goes, who will replace him?”

MK Party demands that Ramaphosa step down

Briefly News reported that the MK Party gave Cyril Ramaphosa a deadline to resign as president.

The party wanted the president to step down from his post at the end of Mandela Day on 18 July 2025.

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Mary Phadi describes relationship with MK Party as abusive, SA amused as she says Zuma betrayed her

South Africans weighed in on the party's statement and joked about its views on the country's courts.

Source: Briefly News