Professor Ben Turok, a Member of Parliament on October 17, 2012 at the Industrial Development Corporation Media Briefing in Sandton,South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Financial Mail / Robert Tshabalala)
There is no such thing as ‘breaking ranks’ within the ANC, as this could cost an MP dearly, Ben Turok has stated.
“I think these people are raising a real headache. We’ve been down this road quite a few times, and, in every case, the caucus of the ANC meets and discusses, and all members are bound by that decision.
“If you do not follow that decision, you will lose your job. It’s as simple as that. So why is there so much speculation about whether people will break ranks and so on? Really, I think the media are a bit irresponsible,” said Turok.
Listen to the rest of his interview below
The debate on the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma will take place on April 18 after parliament convened a special seating.
The EFF, UDM and DA succefully brought forward an application to have this happen, specifically after the Cabinet reshuffle that saw then finance minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas, fired.
This move sent the markets on a downward spiral, with the country being downgraded to junk status by two international ratings agencies.
Much speculation has ensued, with former ANCYL president Lulu Johnson and former Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale saying they wanted to vote against Zuma but not in a vote orchestrated by the opposition. Both said they would prefer to have Zuma outsed through internal structures, such as the elective conference in December.
The DA has been campaigning to get ANC MPs join them in the debate by sending emails and text messages, attempting to convince them to not follow a decision set to be taken by the party caucus meeting led by parliamentary chief whip Jackson Mthembu.
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