If it’s not opposition walk-outs, it’s ANC no-shows as MPs stay away
ANC chief whip Stone Sizani is not chuffed with fellow ANC MPs and cabinet members who duck parliamentary sittings.
He lists such absenteeism as one of the “low points” in the party’s performance in parliament this year.
Speaking to
the
Sunday Times this week, Sizani also had harsh words for members of the opposition who stage walkouts from the House to collapse sittings — accusing them of “stealing” from taxpayers by deliberately neglecting their duties.
This week, the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill was passed almost a week late after the ANC had failed to gather enough MPs in the National Assembly to pass it.
This has held up the budget The AU Commission was awarded the flagship Africa Peace Award from the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes during a gala at the Durban International Convention Centre last night. Chairwoman Nkosazana-Dlamini Zuma received the award on its behalf. The 22-year-old award recognises individuals, communities and nations for the protection of human rights, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the good governance of public affairs process, which means the parliamentary session will be extended by at least three days.
Sizani said the absence of MPs and members of the executive was “a low point in the performance and discipline of ANC members. It’s not only the ANC, but also a low point to the citizens that are expecting us to perform.”
Sizani said the lowest point for South Africa’s democracy was the continual disruption of the National Assembly, especially during the president’s state of the nation address “when the whole world is looking at us”.
“When the opposition walks out, they are stealing from the taxpayer because they get paid even for that period where they are outside the House,” said Sizani.
He said the highlight of the party’s performance was the fact that the country’s budget, despite the prevailing economic conditions, had increased because collection of revenue had made it possible “for us to deploy resources to the people”.
Sizani firmly believes that the use of police inside the parliamentary precinct has been the right move.
“The police should be here,” he said.