South African members of parliament voted Wednesday to reject a motion of no confidence against National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza [1].
The outcome preserves the current leadership of the National Assembly during a period of intense scrutiny regarding the legislative branch's independence from the executive.
The vote took place Wednesday afternoon at the National Assembly in Cape Town [2]. Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet managed the proceedings, noting that each member of parliament would be called by name to register their vote [3].
A total of 282 MPs voted to reject the motion [4].
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) tabled the motion in June 2026 [5]. The party alleged that Didiza failed to remain impartial and did not defend the parliament during the first impeachment process against a sitting president [6].
Specifically, the EFF cited Didiza's decision not to oppose an urgent interdict application filed by President Cyril Ramaphosa [7]. That application sought to halt the parliamentary impeachment process related to the Phala Phala matter [7].
An EFF spokesperson said the speaker failed to defend parliament in the first impeachment process against a sitting president [6].
The motion represented a significant attempt by opposition forces to challenge the Speaker's neutrality. However, the overwhelming number of votes against the motion ensures Didiza remains in her post as the presiding officer of the house [4].
“282 MPs voted to reject the motion of no confidence.”
The failure of the motion indicates that Speaker Didiza maintains strong support within the National Assembly, despite allegations of bias from the EFF. By surviving the vote, Didiza avoids a leadership vacuum, but the proceedings highlight the ongoing friction between the opposition and the presidency regarding the Phala Phala impeachment process.
