GOOD Party calls for secret ballot in motion against Cape Town Speaker

The GOOD Party says it will support Thursday’s motion of no confidence in Cape Town Speaker Felicity Purchase, calling for a secret ballot.

GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor and Caucus Whip Jonathan Cupido said his party strongly rejected Purchase’s decision for the vote to happen by open ballot.

“It is ludicrous that the Speaker should determine the voting process for a vote that affects her directly. The Structures Act, Schedule 3, provides for the Speaker to be elected by secret ballot, we believe the converse should also apply, a vote to remove her should be held by secret ballot,” explained Cupido.

The motion is brought by a multiparty caucus, led by the African National Congress (ANC) and other opposition parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters, GOOD Party, Patriotic Alliance, National Coloured Congress and Al Jama-ah.

The multiparty caucus is accusing Purchase of violating her obligation by “bullying and silencing” opposition councillors,