Disruptions in the National Assembly have “undermined” the “ability of the executive to account”‚ Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.
“Particularly by efforts to prevent President Jacob Zuma from addressing the house‚” he added.
In a statement on “the current situation in Parliament”‚ whose second term concluded last week‚ Ramaphosa said: “Cabinet has undertaken a review of the current environment in Parliament and its impact on government’s programme of transformation.”
He cited amongst the successes of the “first two parliamentary terms of the year” that Parliament has continued to “process transformative legislation‚ scrutinise the activities of departments and other state institutions and deliberate on matters of national importance”‚ and “passed a national budget that sustains government’s programme to tackle poverty and promote economic growth”.
But‚ added Ramaphosa: “Despite the valuable work done in this Fifth Democratic Parliament‚ recent events in Parliament are a grave cause for concern.
“Proceedings have been disrupted on a number of occasions in a manner that undermines the proper functioning of Parliament.
“Of particular concern‚ is the violent nature of some of these disruptions. Refusal to adhere to the rules of the assembly undermines the integrity of the institution and demonstrates disdain for the will of the people.
“The efforts of a small minority of MPs to impose‚ through force and intimidation‚ their will on Parliament reflects a contempt for the principles of democracy.
“While claiming to be exercising free expression they are effectively denying the free expression of others. The ability of the executive to account has been undermined‚ particularly by efforts to prevent President Jacob Zuma from addressing the house.
That said‚ Ramaphosa added that “Cabinet welcomes the determination of the majority of MPs to respect the rules‚ uphold the dignity and advance the transformative work of Parliament”.
This would require all parties to “work together to ensure that the rules and procedures are applied consistently‚ fairly‚ and without fear‚ favour or prejudice”.
“As the executive‚ we reject in the strongest terms any attempt‚ in whatever form‚ to suppress debate or silence dissent.”
In an apparent dismissal of opposition parties’ claims that ministers had evaded questions in the assembly‚ Ramaphosa said they had in fact “responded well to a substantial increase in the number of questions for written reply”.
“In 2009‚ over 2000 written questions were put to Ministers‚ while by the end of 2015‚ the total number exceeded 4000.
“Even with this significant increase‚ the proportion of questions answered each year has exceeded 95%.” – TMG Digital
Violence in Parliament demonstrates disdain for the will of the people: Ramaphosa
Disruptions in the National Assembly have “undermined” the “ability of the executive to account”‚ Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.
“Particularly by efforts to prevent President Jacob Zuma from addressing the house‚” he added.
In a statement on “the current situation in Parliament”‚ whose second term concluded last week‚ Ramaphosa said: “Cabinet has undertaken a review of the current environment in Parliament and its impact on government’s programme of transformation.”
He cited amongst the successes of the “first two parliamentary terms of the year” that Parliament has continued to “process transformative legislation‚ scrutinise the activities of departments and other state institutions and deliberate on matters of national importance”‚ and “passed a national budget that sustains government’s programme to tackle poverty and promote economic growth”.
But‚ added Ramaphosa: “Despite the valuable work done in this Fifth Democratic Parliament‚ recent events in Parliament are a grave cause for concern.
“Proceedings have been disrupted on a number of occasions in a manner that undermines the proper functioning of Parliament.
“Of particular concern‚ is the violent nature of some of these disruptions. Refusal to adhere to the rules of the assembly undermines the integrity of the institution and demonstrates disdain for the will of the people.
“The efforts of a small minority of MPs to impose‚ through force and intimidation‚ their will on Parliament reflects a contempt for the principles of democracy.
“While claiming to be exercising free expression they are effectively denying the free expression of others. The ability of the executive to account has been undermined‚ particularly by efforts to prevent President Jacob Zuma from addressing the house.
That said‚ Ramaphosa added that “Cabinet welcomes the determination of the majority of MPs to respect the rules‚ uphold the dignity and advance the transformative work of Parliament”.
This would require all parties to “work together to ensure that the rules and procedures are applied consistently‚ fairly‚ and without fear‚ favour or prejudice”.
“As the executive‚ we reject in the strongest terms any attempt‚ in whatever form‚ to suppress debate or silence dissent.”
In an apparent dismissal of opposition parties’ claims that ministers had evaded questions in the assembly‚ Ramaphosa said they had in fact “responded well to a substantial increase in the number of questions for written reply”.
“In 2009‚ over 2000 written questions were put to Ministers‚ while by the end of 2015‚ the total number exceeded 4000.
“Even with this significant increase‚ the proportion of questions answered each year has exceeded 95%.” – TMG Digital
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