THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH THE ANC IS STEAM-ROLLING THE REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RULES
28 January 2015
The Economic Freedom Fighters is concerned about the manner in which the African National Congress is steamrolling the review of the Rules of the National Assembly and the Joint Rules of Parliament. The EFF has repeatedly cautioned the sub-committee on the review of the Rules of the National Assembly that steamrolling the review of Rules which should have a long lasting legacy will not assist Parliament.
There are many patently objectionable proposals brought by the ANC to the review process and the EFF is of the view that there should be a thorough and well-thought process to change Rules because Rules have an impact on the democratic nature and content of Parliament. Parliament's power and responsibility to hold the executive accountable and oversee all public entities and institutions should never be undermined because of the insecurities of the ANC.
While the EFF is not opposed to updating Rules whose intention is to make Parliament more democratic and open for robust engagements, we are totally opposed to the intention of the ANC and the manner in which the Rules are being changed. In the Rules of the National Assembly, the EFF is strongly apposed to inter alia, the following:
1. Prescription of dress code in Parliament: The EFF does not agree that there should be a dress code prescription that seeks to ban the working class clothes worn by the EFF in Parliament. We will never co-operate with any Rule that dictates on how we should dress as Members of Parliament and will do anything in our power to prevent such a Rule from being approved and enforced.