Thoko Didiza Survives EFF No-Confidence Motion As GNU Parties Reject Removal Bid
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has survived an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) motion seeking to remove her from her leadership position. The motion failed to secure enough support in the National Assembly on Wednesday night, with several Government of National Unity (GNU) partners rejecting the call for her removal.
EFF leader Julius Malema had accused Didiza of failing to act impartially and claimed her conduct suggested she was protecting President Cyril Ramaphosa. The motion was linked to Didiza’s decision not to oppose Ramaphosa’s court challenge against the parliamentary impeachment process.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) said they disagreed with aspects of Didiza’s handling of legal matters involving the president. However, both parties said the EFF had not provided sufficient grounds to justify removing her as Speaker.
Thoko Didiza No-Confidence Motion Fails After EFF Struggles For Support
The EFF secured backing from several opposition parties, including the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), African Transformation Movement (ATM), National Coloured Congress (NCC) and United Africans Transformation (UAT). Despite that support, the parties were unable to secure the majority needed to pass the motion.
Malema argued that Didiza had failed in her responsibility to protect the integrity of Parliament. “She does not consult, and she manipulates political parties in her efforts to protect the president.”
Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi defended Didiza and dismissed the motion as unnecessary and frivolous. GNU parties maintained that although they had concerns about some of the Speaker’s decisions, those concerns did not justify her removal.
Thoko Didiza Wins Vote As 282 MPs Reject EFF Motion
After a lengthy parliamentary debate, Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet brought proceedings to an end as MPs voted on the EFF's motion. The result showed a decisive majority against the proposal to remove Didiza from her position.
“Those in favour of the motion, 101. Those against the motion, 282. The motion is, therefore, not agreed to.” The outcome means Didiza will remain National Assembly Speaker despite the EFF's allegations against her leadership.
The failed motion also highlights the EFF's difficulty in securing sufficient backing from parties forming part of the GNU. While some opposition parties supported the initiative, their combined votes fell well short of the number required.
Thoko Didiza Survives Vote Ahead Of Ramaphosa Court Challenge
The dispute comes as Ramaphosa prepares to return to court next week for another legal challenge involving a parliamentary impeachment report. His latest court action is expected to renew scrutiny of the relationship between the executive and Parliament.
The EFF had made Ramaphosa's legal challenge a central part of its argument against Didiza. With the no-confidence motion defeated, the Speaker remains in office as the president's next court battle approaches.
