Request for debate on maWinnie rejected

DA-led legislature lashed for its ‘double standards’

THE DA-led legislature has refused the ANC’s request for a special commemorative debate for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. ANC Provincial acting chairperson Khaya Magaxa requested a special debate on April 5, but legislature speaker Sharna Fernandez did not accede to the request.

“We requested this debate under the standing rules (of the legislature). The ANC wanted the people of the province to unite as we commemorate the life of maWinnie ahead of her funeral.

“She had a very close relation to this province over decades – evident in the outpouring of affection and many tributes we have witnessed,” he said.

In his letter to Fernandez, Magaxa said Madikizela-Mandela fought for freedom and added to the liberation Struggle,” Magaxa said. “The Struggle icon died on April 2 and as you may know a national period of mourning has been declared by the President of the Republic. She had a very close relationship with this province.”

In her reply, Fernandez said: “Your request for a debate on a matter of urgent public importance in terms of rule 140 of the standing rules refers.

“The topic of the debate you are requesting as a matter of urgent public importance does not fall within the purview of Rule 140 and I therefore cannot accede to your request.

“I suggest that you raise the matter at the next programming authority meeting through your chief whip to deal with the matter appropriately in terms of the relevant standing rules.”

Parties will, however, get five minutes each to deliver a message of

‘THE ANC WANTED THE PEOPLE OF THE PROVINCE TO UNITE AS WE COMMEMORATE HER’

condolence to Madikizela-Mandela’s family.

“The DA-run legislature denied a special debate on maWinnie’s life, which is totally out of tune with the whole country. Once again the DA treats the Western Cape as an island that is not part of the rest of South Africa. It is also noted that the DA divisions on this matter surfaced when former provincial leader Patricia de Lille publicly paid tribute to Winnie – to the dismay of angry white liberals in the DA,” Magaxa said.

The DA had laid bare their double standards and inconsistency in handling events, he said. “When former president Nelson Mandela passed away, the ANC submitted the same request under the standing rules while the legislature was in recess. The members were called back to attend a tributary debate to honour Nelson Mandela. The DA must explain why it does not afford the same show of respect to maWinnie,” he said.

DA chief whip Mark Wiley said: “The speaker quite correctly refused the request, as in terms of the rules, it does not qualify as ‘urgent public importance’. The outbreak of war, a massive natural disaster with huge loss of life or some significant pending threat qualifies as a matter of ‘urgent public importance’.”