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Ramaphosa farm theft | Allegations of death threats against MPs
A shaky start to Parliament's debate on the independent panel's report into the Phala Phala matter following claims that some MPs received death threats.
CAPE TOWN - The ATM pushed in vain for an open ballot in the Phala Phala report vote.
Party leader Vuyolwethu Zungula says some MPs have received death threats to vote against the report.
The ATM's request was denied three times by National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
She said despite allegations of intimidation and threats against some MPs, the House is not toxic enough that lawmakers would be scared to vote with their conscience.
"There are threats, Speaker, that members of the ruling party have given by their chairperson that if they vote differently to towards the party instruction, they're going to be expelled," said ATM leader Vuyolwethu Zungula.
READ: Ramaphosa farm theft | Open ballot for Phala Phala vote
EFF leader Julius Malema insists the speaker is putting MPs' lives at risk.
"There's a point made here that by the time you wrote a letter rejecting a secret ballot, there were no death threats. There are MPs after your letter who received death threats and a case has been opened," he said.
"You can't proceed as if there's no developments. If we vote in the opposite, we're going to be killed, you may want to reconsider this letter since there are new developments."