National Assembly speaker, Baleka Mbete, has refused a request by the Democratic Alliance (DA) for parliament to reconvene a special sitting on Eskom.
DA Chief Whip, John Steenhuisen, wrote to Mbete requesting her to reconvene and to set up a committee of parliament to look at the circumstances surrounding the “prevailing energy crisis.”
Although the National Assembly has been dissolved ahead of the May elections, it remains competent to function in terms of the Constitution.
According to the Rules and Procedures of the National Assembly, relevant committees, including ad hoc committees could convene to discuss certain matters if needed.
In a carefully worded media statement, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete says she believes that the existing portfolio committees of the National Assembly such as the Portifolio Committee on Public Enterprises are well equipped to deal with the energy crises at Eskom.
Mbete says while she admits that current electricity problems at Eskom warrant serious treatment as a matter of urgency, the relevant committees could deal with the issue when necessary.
Consequently, Mbete says she sees no need for the National Assembly to reconvene at this point.
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