Johannesburg - EFF national chairperson Dali Mpofu and Police Minister Fikile Mbalula's spokesperson Esethu Hasane were embroiled in a war of words on social media, seemingly over the recent secret ballot judgment handed down by the Constitutional Court.
In June, the ConCourt ruled that the decision for a secret ballot vote in a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma lay with National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng read out the judgment, saying Mbete was wrong when she claimed she did not have the powers to allow for a secret ballot vote.
He said the Constitutional Court did not have the power to order the speaker to make such a decision.
The issue seemingly began when Mpofu spoke out on a recent comment by Police Minister Fikile Mbalula at the on-going ANC policy conference regarding "suicide bombers".
Mbalula on Sunday said ANC MPs who want to vote with the opposition in the no confidence vote against Zuma will be committing political “suicide” as they will face disciplinary procedure.
Mpofu questioned if it was okay for the minister to make these utterances, seeing as how suicide bombers never survive attacks.
So??
Then it's okay to say those who vote in favour of the motion are "suicide bombers"?
Have YOU ever met a suicide bomber who is alive??👂🏼 https://t.co/vPCrLLHOgZ
— Dali Mpofu (@AdvDali_Mpofu) July 2, 2017
He also accused Mbalula of being in contempt of court for "threatening" MPs intending to obey the ConCourt's ruling.
So the whole PoliceMinister commits a CRIME of contempt of court in broad daylight..Threatening MPs who intend to obey a Concourt decision!
— Dali Mpofu (@AdvDali_Mpofu) July 2, 2017
This then led to a discussion between Mpofu and Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba's spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete on the issue. Hasane then entered the fray, saying Mpofu was "confused" and was "confusing his gullible followers" with his tweets on the issue.
You are confused and confusing you gullible minions Ben10 @AdvDali_Mpofu
Party position is ok - then party position not ok 🙄 pic.twitter.com/pJMPEWPSQ7
— E (@EsethuHasane) July 3, 2017
Mpofu did not take this lying down, calling Hasane's response "sheer stupidity" as opposed to a "misunderstanding".
There's a big difference between misunderstanding of a judgment as with @MTshwete and sheer STUPIDITY.
I can ONLY cure misunderstandings!! https://t.co/qoJ6kYi6oc
— Dali Mpofu (@AdvDali_Mpofu) July 3, 2017
EXACTLY the point,Einstein!
That "possibility" can ONLY arise in an open ballot & NOT in a truly secret ballot!
Its no licence to threaten! https://t.co/pJKZZhCSzr
— Dali Mpofu (@AdvDali_Mpofu) July 3, 2017