Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Leader of Government Business, says the Democratic Alliance’s decision to proceed with a motion to censure President Jacob Zuma had undermined multi-party efforts to resolve the situation in Parliament.
This comes after the Deputy President met with all leaders of opposition parties at Tuynhuys on Tuesday morning to discuss challenges that the Parliament was faced with.
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Deputy President said the decision by the DA to proceed to debate the matter was not in the spirit of what the meeting agreed on.
“The DA’s decision to proceed with the censure motion is inconsistent with the understanding reached in the meeting of party leaders in Tuynhuys yesterday [Tuesday]. It goes to the heart of the need for the political solution the DA committed to during yesterday’s meeting.
“All parties represented at that meeting agreed to a process that would seek a political solution to the untenable situation in Parliament.
“They consequently agreed that various Parliamentary processes be held in abeyance pending the outcome of the multi-party engagement. The DA’s motion violates the spirit of this agreement,” he said.
During the meeting on Tuesday, a committee – led by the leader of government business with DA leader Mmusi Maimane and ANC chief whip Stone Sizani elected as deputy leaders – was formed to deal with all the challenges facing the house.
At the time, the Deputy President told journalists that after the meeting, it was agreed that debates in the house would be conducted in a respectful manner without hurling insults.
Should this commitment be upheld, this would create a climate whereby MPs can appear before Parliament to answer to questions and account.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said the actions by the DA to continue with the censure against the President, despite an agreement that all concerns would be resolved, was regrettable.
“We are not going to be successful in restoring the dignity, integrity and standing of Parliament if parties cannot trust each other to honour their undertakings.
“We are concerned that the DA does not share our commitment to work towards the achievement of a climate in Parliament that enables members of the executive to appear before Parliament to account fully and properly.
“It is a matter of deep regret that, at this critical moment in the life of our Parliament, the leadership of the DA has chosen to subordinate national interests in favour of narrow party political interests.
“As the Executive, we remain committed to genuine and sincere partnerships to restore the integrity, stature and effectiveness of Parliament.” – SAnews.gov.za
