Overview
- The National Assembly met virtually and rejected the Economic Freedom Fighters’ motion of no confidence in Speaker Thoko Didiza on Wednesday, 26 August, leaving her in office.
- The EFF accused Didiza of abandoning Parliament by not opposing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent interdict in the Western Cape High Court that paused the impeachment process.
- Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet read a result of 101 votes for removal and 282 against, though one outlet reported a different tally of 208 against and 101 for, underscoring reporting discrepancies.
- The ANC and the DA opposed removal on grounds that ousting a speaker over a disputed legal judgment would set a dangerous precedent, while smaller parties such as the MKP backed the EFF’s case.
- The vote ends the immediate threat to Didiza but leaves unresolved tensions between court rulings and Parliament’s role in impeachment and could prompt further legal and political clashes over how the assembly defends its powers.