April, 21 2017.
For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines:
Nzimande calls for overhaul of electoral system
SaveSA distances itself from ‘Freedom Movement’
And, Marius Fransman fails to show up for second disciplinary hearing

The country’s proportional representation system is dangerous and gives political parties too much power, SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said yesterday.

The electoral system should combine PR, which allows parties to select its Members of Parliament, with a constituency-based system that allows voters to directly elect MPs.

Nzimande’s comments come ahead of the vote of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma. Opposition parties, led by the UDM, have asked the Constitutional Court to allow MPs to vote by secret ballot. This would protect ANC members who want to vote against the party line.

The ANC had already warned its members against voting for Zuma to go.

 

Lobby group SaveSA yesterday distanced itself from the "Freedom Movement” which opposition parties created to ensure President Jacob Zuma is removed from office.

SaveSA said in a statement that it did not regard political parties as part of civil society and believed that authentic civil society movements should not involve political parties in any shape or form.

The movement would stage a demonstration against Zuma at Freedom Park, Pretoria, on April 27.

 

Suspended Western Cape ANC leader Marius Fransman yesterday failed to show up for his second disciplinary hearing, meaning that his five-year suspension from the party stands.

He denied himself a second opportunity to present his case and prove his innocence, ANC National Disciplinary Committee chairperson Susan Shabangu said in a statement.

He elected not to utilise it by not attending the scheduled hearing to present his evidence and that of his witness.

 

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today