Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has renewed its calls to relocate Parliament from the Western Cape to Gauteng, arguing it would save costs and be more accessible.
During the budget debate on Tuesday, EFF MP Omphile Maotwe rejected Parliament’s budget, citing delays and inefficiencies in rebuilding after the January 2022 fire.
“The Parliament building burned down over two years ago and all that we are told is that they are removing rubble for two years.
“We still don’t have a plan for a temporary structure, whilst the rebuilding is taking place. The National Assembly building burned down because its health and safety standards were not in place,” The Citizen quoted Maotwe as saying.
The allocated budget for 2024/2025 is R4.43 billion, including R500 million for restoration.
Maotwe criticised the slow progress and lack of a temporary structure plan, advocating for the national legislature to move to Pretoria.
The EFF believed this move would expedite rebuilding, save money on travel and maintenance, and centralise legislative and executive functions.
The proposed relocation was previously rejected due to costs and implications for staff.
On Monday, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza said that Parliament was planning to use the dome from Nelson Mandela’s funeral as a temporary venue.
She said that this decision followed a meeting with Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson, who confirmed the dome’s availability.
“The burning of Parliament also added more stress and has affected our effectiveness as the house… Last Friday I held a meeting with Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson to explore the possibility of getting a dome that has been used by the state for big events previously, such as the funeral of late president Mandela. This is the asset of the state that can be put to good use
“Last week Friday, I held a meeting with the Minister of @DepartmentPWI to explore the possibility of getting a dome that has been used by the state for big events previously, like the funeral of late President Mandela. The Minister has indicated to us that the dome is available… pic.twitter.com/LwzqnzRnd9
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) July 22, 2024
“The minister has indicated to us that the dome is available and the department will now engage the Parliament and the ministry of defence to ensure that we move this dome and construct it here so that from now on, we can have a structure where we continue to meet as Parliament,” Didiza informed the National Assembly during the debate on the 2024/2025 budget vote for parliament.
EWN reported that the structure is currently kept in Pretoria and would need to be transported and assembled in Cape Town by the defence force.
Its current condition remains unknown, the report said.
Parliament has been holding joint sittings at the Cape Town City Hall, including the last three State of the Nation Addresses and the recent Opening of Parliament Address.
Additionally, the Cape Town and Century City convention centres have been used for the first plenary sessions of the seventh Parliament following the May elections.
According to Times Live, Didiza acknowledged that since the start of the seventh parliament, space limitations have hindered committees from conducting business effectively.
“While we have tried to improve, this remains a challenge we must address. The availability of space for offices of members is another point we must address, she said.
Didiza assured MPs that issues with interpreting services, which affected some budget vote debates, would also be resolved. She emphasized the importance of accessibility and transparency, ensuring all languages are respected in parliamentary proceedings.
Parliament’s 2024/2025 budget is R4.43bn, with R500m allocated for refurbishing buildings.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
