214 Members of Parliament voted against the adoption of the Section 89 Independent Panel report on the Phala Phala saga, while only 148 voted in support of the motion.
The outcome of the vote means that Ramaphosa will not face the impeachment proceedings as earlier predicted.
ANC MPs who voted for the adoption of the report included Dlamini-Zuma, Supra Mahumapelo, Mervyn Dirks, Mosebenzi Zwane, and Thandi Mahambehlala.
But Mahambehlala later said her vote was captured incorrectly, and she said her vote for “the party line” was actually referring to a ‘NO’ vote.
ANC MPs Bongani Bongo and Zweli Mkhize, were not present to cast their votes.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Leader Julius Malema said the ANC was using its majority to muscle democracy.
“The job of Parliament is to look for answers. We tried that today,” Malema said.
He slammed the National Assembly Speaker for allowing Mahambehlala to change her vote.
“To ask a person to correct the vote is extremely wrong. It is wrong to say a person can correct a vote.”
African Transformation Movement (ATM) President Vuyo Zungula said Tuesday’s events showed that Ramaphosa is now above scrutiny.
“What the ANC has done is that they voted to show that President Cyril Ramaphosa is above the law. We cannot be told to wait for agencies such as SARS or Hawks,” he said.
Zungula said his party working, with other political parties, ensured that the 400 MPs understood the importance of the issues before the National Assembly.
Efforts were made to ensure that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, was aware that MPs were sent death threats in the event they vote in support of the independent panel report, but she decided to ignore the existence of the police case.
For this, ATM believes she failed to apply her mind and her decision was irrational.
Said Malema: “The President is facing serious misconduct involving money laundering. We will challenge the Speaker to court.”
“Within the next week, we will file papers to challenge this decision. As opposition parties, we looked at what was in the best interest of the country,”
Malema added that it was a victory for the opposition to get a vote in support of the panel with the opposition.
He said Dlamini-Zuma is a disciplined member of the ANC, and to get her vote was a big endorsement.
“The President must be ashamed of himself,” Malema added.
Meanwhile, leader of the official opposition John Steenhuisen, said: “Today the Myth about ANC renewal has been shuttered. They came to defend maladministration. ANC made a terrible blander going into 2024.”
“We will look at our options- we will immediately ask for an ad hoc Committee.”
ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe said the five members who voted with the opposition was “not significant.
“Five is not significant compared to 36 who voted for a motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma ”.
Mantashe said the ANC believes that Ramaphosa must be given space to challenge the report.
“We will report to the ANC that five members voted against the party decision. All parties have their own dynamics,” Mantashe added.
IFP MP Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi said his party voted yes to ensure that Ramaphosa is held accountable.
“We are happy that democracy prevailed. We expect the Hawks and NPA to take the matter forward,” Buthelezi said.
Steven Swart, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) MP said: We believe the process is important and it doesn’t make sense for the majority party not to vote in support of the panel report.”
“That opportunity is missed for the people to know the truth. But it was not a waste of resources because the findings of the panel will remain.”
Swart further said it was up to other law enforcement agencies to do follow up but maintained that it’s regrettable that Parliament could not get the work to continue.
Leader of the FF Plus, Dr Pieter Groenewald said he was not surprised by the outcome of Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament.
“We knew that the ANC will use its majority. We wanted to give the President an opportunity to clear his name.
It was a day of high drama
Leader of the Good Party attempted to introduce a new motion for the adoption of the report, saying her party wanted to hear the decisison Constitutional Court before making any conclusions.
Good Party founder and Minister in President Ramaphosa’s cabinet Patricia de Lille abstained from voting, a move that shocked many given her anti corruption track record.
“We have no obligation to support the President Cyril Ramaphosa even if Patricia de Lille is serving in his cabinet,” Good Party Secretary-General Brett Herron said.
ANC Presidential hopeful Minister Lindiwe Sisulu left the house just before voting, and former health minister Zweli Mkhize also failed to attend the Section 89 sitting on Tuesday.
PHUTI MOSOMANE | INSIDE POLITICS
