The National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has shot down a request by the DA for a secret ballot during the motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Cabinet.

Mapisa-Nqakula has written to DA chief whip, Natasha Mazzone to refuse the party’s request.

In an initial letter to the Speaker, Mazzone said that the secret ballot voting procedure on the motion would ensure absolute security and freedom of vote.

The DA brought a motion of no confidence against Cabinet ministers last month. The motion against the president and his Cabinet will be debated next week.