Parliament ignoring the political and economic crisis caused by President Zuma
I have this past week received two letters from the presiding officers of Parliament rejecting both my calls for a debate of public importance on the "Nkandlagate" scandal, and for a Joint Sitting of Parliament to allow for President Zuma to present his announced programme of action on the economy. These decisions are disappointing in the context of the serious challenges facing South Africa today. Instead of engaging with these pressing public matters, Parliament is increasingly divorcing itself from the concerns of South Africa's citizens for the sake of avoiding politically-contentious issues.
The DA will raise both these requests at the next meeting of the Parliamentary Oversight Authority, the highest decision making body of Parliament. It must be made clear to the presiding officers that debating issues of public importance is not a nice-to-have, but a key component of our constitutional obligation to hold the executive to account.
The Acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Nomaindia Mfeketo's decision to decline a debate of public importance on Nkandla, on the flimsy basis that there are other mechanisms available to discuss the matter fails to appreciate the very serious nature of this scandal. This potential abuse of public funds severely undermines the integrity of the office of the President, and channels much-needed resources away from the national budget.
Similarly, the decision by Ms Mfeketo and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mninwa Mahlangu to reject my request to call President Zuma to Parliament to present his plan to address our economic downturn ignores the need for both houses of parliament to engage actively in political oversight on matters of economic policy.
While South Africans are feeling the brunt of President Zuma's failure to manage the economy properly during his term, Parliament has done little to seek answers to their concerns from the head of the executive. Members of Parliament must be provided with an opportunity to interrogate and engage with Mr Zuma's announced plan.
The DA will continue to fight for a robust, relevant and effective Parliament. We had it before under the presidency of Nelson Mandela, and we can have it again. But for this to happen, we need those at the helm to show the leadership that South Africans need during this turbulent time in our history.
Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, October 28 2012
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