Cape Town – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, faced opposition from major political parties regarding his proposal to relocate Parliament to Tshwane.
Malema introduced a private member’s bill, to relocate the seat of Parliament to Tshwane, to a mini-plenary of the National Assembly on Thursday.
The African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) rejected the EFF’s bill, citing concerns about the associated costs and the impact on parliamentary staff, reports said.
Malema argued that the current arrangement, with Cape Town as the legislative capital and Pretoria as the administrative capital, was a product of colonialism and needed to be changed.
“When the union of South Africa was formed after the 1907 colonial conference held in London, there was an agreement that Cape Town become the seat of Parliament while Pretoria now Tshwane become the administrative capital.
“The reality is that members come from all over the country and, therefore, require travelling so there will be no financial implications,” EWN quoted Malema as saying.
ALSO READ | ‘I’m talking to Magashule’ to join EFF – Malema
The relocation of Parliament to Tshwane had been on the agenda for years but no party had submitted a bill to legislate the move before Malema, the report said.
Malema claimed that relocating Parliament to Tshwane would make it more accessible to the people.
However, the other parties disagreed, emphasising the need for comprehensive studies before making such a decision.
They also highlighted the financial burden of rebuilding the current Parliament and then relocating it.
Furthermore, they expressed concern for the parliamentary staff and their families who would be affected by the move.
The parties called on South Africans to reject the bill, considering the economic challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent fire that damaged parliamentary buildings.
According to News24, ANC’s Hope Papo said: “In this difficult economic climate, it would be highly irresponsible to restore damaged parliamentary buildings and thereafter abandon and move to Gauteng because of this slight of the Western Cape province, as if the province isn’t part of one united South Africa.”
He, too, noted that the parliamentary staff would have to move., the report said.
“They have not been consulted and their views heard,” Papo said.
“The views of the people from the other provinces, in particular Gauteng, where I come from, will also have to be heard on this matter.”
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Getty Images
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
