SWIFT INTERVENTION ON MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE IN PARLIAMENT

20 August 2015

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip is pleased that the question regarding how Parliament should in future proceed with motions without notice – a vital parliamentary mechanism that enables the institution to officially express itself on key developments within the country and internationally – has been referred to the rules sub-committee for consideration. Motions without notice are usually messages that convey condolences to bereaved families on the tragic loss of their loved ones or recognising remarkable achievements by individuals or organisations locally or internationally.

The motions, which are by nature neither partisan nor political, are proposed by individual parties and must enjoy the support of parties represented in the House in order to become official resolutions of Parliament. This parliamentary mechanism is not ritualistic. Decisions agreed to by the House are sent to the relevant individuals, families or organisations – demonstrating that Parliament, as an institution that represents the people in terms of the Constitution –officially aligns itself with them in their celebration or tragedy. Such formal decisions are also included in the records of Parliament, called the Hansard.

The review of motions without notice, a tool prevalent in all democratic Parliaments the world over and is as old as our democratic Parliament itself, became necessary and urgent following a protracted period during which the institution failed to pass any motion due to the EFF’s destructive nature. The EFF had abused a provision in the rules (that if a one party objects to the motion it falls away) to ensure that Parliament is unable to carry out this function. The party’s incessant rejection of proposed motions in the National Assembly has crippled this important parliamentary convention of extending official sympathies or gestures of appreciation to the people.

Recently, the party objected to Parliament resolving to recognise the birthday of the late Reeva Steenkam, to celebrate the remarkable national hockey team captain Marsha Marescia, to congratulate Chad Le Clos on his latest sporting achievements and, send condolences to families of the tragic road accident victims in KwaZulu-Natal, and to sympathise with the families of the late Mbaqanga legend David Masondo and Kwaito artist Sibusiso Khomo.

Thanks to the well-known juvenile and petty antics of the EFF MPs, Parliament could not pass all these important motions. EFF has stood like a sore thumb, without offering sound or cogent reason, in its belief that Parliament should not recognise good deeds or sympathise with the people.

The unfortunate impression created amongst the people of South Africa would be that the institution that represents their hopes and aspirations cannot recognise their achievements or support them in their time of grief. An institution of the people that is silent on noteworthy and important developments involving the people runs the risk of losing relevance.

We are confident that the rules sub-committee will resolve this matter to ensure Parliament does not continue to be held to ransom by a wayward party that is yet to comprehend the gravity and serious consequences of its myopic conduct to Parliament broadly and the society at large.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, August 20 2015