Preparations for the swearing in of the country’s new Members of Parliament (MPs) are in full swing.
On Wednesday, the Independent Electoral Commission will hand over the lists of those chosen to represent their parties in the National and Provincial Legislatures to Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.
National Assembly Secretary, Masibulele Xaso, says the provisional dates for the taking of oath by the MPs are May 22 and 23. However, Xaso says Chief Justice Mogoeng still needs to confirm the dates.
“After the lists have been handed to the Chief Justice, they will in turn be handed to Parliament and the provincial legislators. This is a list of designated members – the names of members who will occupy the seats that have been won by their parties. It’s basically to enable the Chief Justice to convene the first sittings of the NA (National Assembly), provincial legislators as well the NCOP (National Council of Provinces). That date for the first sittings will be confirmed today and has been provisionally indicated as the 22-05.”
On Monday, it emerged that the ANC’s candidate list is still being reviewed by the party’s integrity committee. The governing parties list of preferred members to represent it in Parliament sparked a public outcry due to some controversial figures who also formed part of the team that will be refining the country’s policies. Former and current ministers like, Mosebenzi Zwane, Bathabile Dlamini, Malusi Gigaba, and Nomvula Mokonyane are some of those many South African feel they should not be part of the country’s sixth democratic Parliament.
ANC National Spokesperson, Pule Mabe, says the party’s integrity committee is still looking into the matter and will inform the party’s leadership of its decision once its wrapped up its work. Mabe says the process shouldn’t derail any of the IEC’s processes.
Meanwhile, the governing party is also still grappling with internal issues over some of its premier candidates. It’s yet to announce its decision on who will be the party’s North West political principal. This while some in the governing party’s structures of the Free State are divided over Sisi Ntombela’s appointment as the provincial premier candidate. Ntombela took the post after ANC Secretary-General, Ace Magashule resigned to assume his duties at Luthuli House. Some fear that keeping her in that post could maintain Magashule’s grip on the province’s political affairs.
