ANC STATEMENT ON THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 18 June 2015

Johannesburg

The African National Congress has noted with grave concern the activities which led to abrupt and extremely unfortunate adjournment of the National Assembly today. The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is the embodiment of the hopes and aspirations of the South African people for a forum where parties, representing their diverse views, come together to discuss and resolve matters that will help move our country forward.

It is the expectation of the people of South Africa that Parliament will and should function effectively in delivery of its mandate, including amongst others, holding the Executive to account as was intended today.

Incidences such as the ones witnessed today are an attack on our democracy and our constitution which props it up. They are also not sustainable and render the proper functioning of Parliament difficult. Exercising oversight over the Executive and representing our people cannot and should not mean enmity and chaos. 

The African National Congress appeals to Members of Parliament, across the political spectrum, to hold Parliament in high esteem and restore to this important institution of our democracy its standing as a House whose sole preoccupation is accelerating the gains of the past 21 years of democratic governance.

Statement issued by Zizi Kodwa, ANC national spokesperson, June 18 2015