Cape Town — The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party wants Parliament to consider it the official opposition party to the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The MK’s appeal was supported by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who want the order of the speaker’s list to reflect the size of the MK Party in the Assembly.
The MK Party replaced the EFF as the third-strongest party in South Africa and received over 14% of votes during its first elections. This translated to 58 seats in Parliament. Following the DA’s decision to join the GNU, it can no longer be the official opposition in Parliament, EWN reported.
The EFF wants the order on the speaker’s list during debates to reflect the MK Party’s size in the assembly and also said the EFF or MK party should be elevated in the speaking order.
“But they [the DA] can’t speak first. They can’t speak before MK. They are in government. Imagine if the minister of agriculture [DA leader John Steenhuisen] is debating and the first respondent is the ANC [African National Congress], the DA, and the official opposition is going to come in the fourth opportunity. There’s no debate for about four speakers.”
MK Parly Chief Whip Sihle Ngubane and EFF MP Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi say The official opposition Party (MK) must speak after the GNU president in Parliament.
Matric-less Steenhuisen cannot speak 2nd because he is in GNU. pic.twitter.com/1kfYe2bR7d
— uMkhonto Wesizwe Info Centre (@MKParty_InfoGuy) July 11, 2024
Both parties have also been outspoken about the GNU rubber-stamping departmental budgets and rushing the budget process.
As a result, the two parties said that no qualitative parliamentary work or interrogation of the budget was done, which undermines parliament’s oversight role and allows executives to get away without proper scrutiny.
Parliament began the budget process on Tuesday and several committees were only allocated two hours to receive budget allocations. Several committees who competed for limited space, could not finish their work on time.
Ndlozi said there was “serious disorganisation” in Parliament’s work and due to the short time given to get affairs in order, it gave a big advantage to the the executive.
Ndlozi called for the postponement of President Ramaphosa’s parliamentary address to prioritise budget scrutiny, highlighting disorganization and urging for adequate preparation time.
MK party MP Mnqobi Msezane voiced similar concerns about insufficient time to scrutinise budget documents, calling for a delay to ensure proper preparation.
National Assembly (NA) Programme Committee, 11 July 2024 https://t.co/7EFk8yuRHb
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) July 11, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
