President continues with Parliamentary responsibilities
19 October 2014
The report by a Sunday newspaper that President Jacob Zuma will no longer attend to Parliamentary responsibilities is incorrect and grossly misleading (see Sunday Times report).
The President continues to meet his parliamentary obligations. The President responds to oral questions four times a year in the National Assembly. During an election year, this time is naturally reduced given the time taken to prepare for elections and to establish a new government and other activities. However, discussions are on-going with the National Assembly to sort out the dates for oral questions.
The President continues to respond to questions for written reply from members of parliament. A perusal of parliamentary records or even the Presidency website will indicate this fact.
The President also decided last term to also answer oral questions in the National Council of Provinces. Discussions are taking place with the NCOP to sort out the programme. The President will also meet his obligation to deliver the annual address to the NCOP, on 6 November 2014.
With regards to stakeholder engagement, the President outlined in the Presidency Budget Vote in July this year that he would also host several working group sessions with business, persons with disability, the youth, women, higher education sector, the mining sector and others. Some of the groups have met already, others are being constituted at the technical level and most of the meetings will take place next year. The Presidential Business Working Group will meet on the 24th of October in Pretoria.
In addition, the programme of hands-on monitoring visits, Siyahlola, whereby the President visits provinces to ascertain delivery will also continue.
The President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers also continue with community engagement through izimbizo and other community visits. However, direct community engagement of this nature does not replace Parliamentary work.
It should also be emphasised that the President is not a Member of Parliament which is why he does not attend the plenary sessions of the National Assembly. He however goes to the House when invited and also to perform tasks such as responding to questions or to deliver the State of the Nation Address or any other special address.
Statement issued by Mac Maharaj, The Presidency, October 19 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
