{
  "id": 2131837,
  "title": "National Assembly to vote on motion against Didiza next week",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/national-assembly-to-vote-on-motion-against-didiza-next-week",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T12:18:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/national-assembly-to-vote-on-motion-against-didiza-next-week/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Assembly will vote on a motion of no confidence against Speaker Thoko Didiza next Wednesday. The motion was introduced by EFF leader Julius Malema in June. The issue revolves around Didiza's decision not to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa's urgent request for an interdict in the Western Cape High Court, which aims to suspend the impeachment process concerning the Phala Phala matter. The court has since granted the interdict. During a discussion on the Parliament's agenda for the upcoming week at the National Assembly Programming Committee, EFF MPs expressed worries that the motion would be heard during a virtual assembly of the House. EFF member Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi pointed out, \"We cannot remove you virtually; we must all be present to ensure that day because removing you virtually wouldn't carry the same weight, Speaker. Can we alter that decision? I cannot see how one day poses a problem; it will only be for that day, for all of us to be there physically.\" In response, ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli informed the EFF that a decision had been made to hold all house sittings virtually to accommodate the election schedules of political parties. He emphasized that this virtual approach ensures MPs can carry out their parliamentary duties while simultaneously campaigning for their parties in their constituencies. Ntuli added that the motion of no confidence in the Speaker should not be undermined simply because it is held virtually. \"I believe the EFF should not be concerned about their motion; we are not convening to remove the Speaker, we are convening to discuss many matters, including their motion in their endeavor to have the Speaker removed. They should not be worried that it would be undervalued if it is a virtual discussion.\"",
  "summary": "The motion was tabled by Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema in June.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}