What the rule book says about MP rebels

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What the rule book says about MP rebels

10 August 2017 5:39 PM

Minister of Small Business Development and member of the African National Congress (ANC) Lindiwe Zulu said it is unacceptable that some party members voted with the opposition in the motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma.

Constitutional law expert, Professor Pierre de Vos says the ANC and Democratic Alliance (DA) constitutions both similarly specify that if you are a public representative you are obliged to conform with the rules of the party.

The interesting question is, whether the provision in the constitution of various parties that try to instil discipline to members who vote with opposition are constitutionally valid.
— Pierre de Vos, Constitutional law expert

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) judgement on the secret ballot was actually quite extraordinary.
— Pierre de Vos, Constitutional law expert

That UDM judgment really highlights how elected cabinet members are and should represent the electorate first says de Vos.

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Written by: Mmakgomo Tshetlo

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