Dissolved Parliament? In your dreams

NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete says DA leader Mmusi Maimane can only see the dissolution of Parliament “in his dreams”.

The Speaker’s statement comes amid calls by Maimane for Parliament to be dissolved in a submission by the DA after the motion of no-confidence in President Jacob Zuma was defeated for the eighth time.

Despite the outcome, the DA maintained Zuma no longer enjoyed the support of the majority of people and South Africans needed to be given the opportunity to make their voices heard at the polls – and the only way to speed this up was to dissolve Parliament and not to wait until the next general elections.

But Mbete questioned the DA’S understanding of the constitution, saying it was established by the Independent Electoral Commission, a body set up in terms of the constitution.

“It’s not constituted on the basis of any singular political party. It is managed by the IEC which constantly watches what goes on there.

“So Maimane can only call for and see Parliament dissolved in his dreams.”

The DA’S call took other opposition political parties in the National Assembly by surprise and none supported it.

Mbete also lashed out at those who questioned her decision on the secret ballot.

“I exercised the power and prerogative bestowed on me by the constitution and some people have a problem with that? I find that line of thinking disgusting.”

She said the decision to allow the secret ballot was also based on the respect for varying perspectives.

“Political parties represent society and I felt that we needed to hear them even though some people might not agree with their views.”

Mbete said although the ANC – which was her political home – was now characterised by factions and internal disagreements, it would eventually overcome the challenges.

“It is important that we resolve the issues. If you look at the National Assembly now, most of the opposition parties represented were once ANC members and this cannot be left to continue without being properly addressed.

“I would like to see an ANC healed and united. We are bruised, and some of the bruises we inflict on one another could be dealt with.

“We need to be tolerant and work together regardless of which rank of leadership we serve in. There are mistakes we have made, but they have also presented us with lessons which we could turn into opportunities.”