Parliament's failure to pass division of Revenue Bill
17 November 2016
The weekly meeting of the African National Congress Parliamentary Caucus met today and comprehensively reflected on the unfortunate events of the past two days regarding the failure by the National Assembly to quorate to pass the crucial Division of Revenue Amendment Bill. The Bill is critical to the government's ability to continue fulfilling its service delivery obligations to South Africans, and Parliament's delay in passing it means the allocation of revenue to various government departments will not occur as planned. When parliamentarians dither on such critical decisions, the lives of ordinary South Africans are affected and the ability of the institution to improve the material conditions of the people is eroded. The failure to pass this type of draft legislation is a serious indictment on all parties in Parliament.
Be that as it may, the ANC - as the Majority Party, takes full responsibility for this development. Granted, the duty to ensure the quorum of Members to take part during Parliament decision-making processes rests with all parties in the true spirit of participative democracy. However, the ANC - with its overwhelming mandate it received from the electorate - does not require favours from the very same parties that are against transformation of our socio-economic conditions and against improving the lives of the poor majority of people of our country. With its significant majority, which the very same parties often dare us to use unilaterally on certain matters, but later accuse us of abusing it on others when it doesn't suit their agenda, the ANC alone, is and always has been, well-positioned to pass decisions and improve people's lives.
The last two sittings were declared three-line whip (compulsory attendance) sittings. Regarding this past Wednesday's sitting, the ANC had 209 MPs who had individually confirmed attendance, we were thus confident the Bill would be passed. The rest of the MPs, 40 of them, were granted leave of absence due to their Parliamentary and executive international commitments, committee oversight, ill health and critical personal matters.
In this regard, the ANC Caucus meeting today expressed its dismay and grave disappointment regarding the two failed successive attempts in ensuring a quorum of Members to pass the Bill due to certain ANC MPs' absence from the House in the last two days. The absence of these MPs, despite recorded confirmation that they will be present, is disgraceful and downright disrespectful to the people of South Africa. The unanimous view of the Caucus is that the harshest punishment must be taken against the absentees.