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Parliament’s “must” issues must resume immediately in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, the presidents announced Thursday during a virtual press conference.
The parliamentarians’ license later this month has also been canceled.
Last month, Parliament suspended the activities of both Houses, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). This shortly before the start of the electoral period that ended last week.
“It was a precautionary measure related to Covid-19 to drastically limit the number of people on the premises in Cape Town and in off-site parliamentary activities,” said Vice President Lechesa Tsenoli.
He added that during the constituency period, the presiding officials evaluated the best way to resume their activities after the constituency period and compared the best practices of other legislatures around the world in fighting Covid-19.
“We have made the decision that the affairs of Parliament should be resumed with immediate effect following the conclusion of the constituency program on April 13. The leave period for parliamentarians, which was scheduled from April 28 to May 4, has been cancelled”.
He said parliament will look for ways to transition to an “electronic parliament” during closing time.
Programs
Various programs have already been carried out, including meetings of presidents, chiefs and a speaker’s forum. These meetings have considered a modified framework for managing the affairs of the oversight committees and plenary sessions, as well as a tight schedule for the coming period.
Parliament will prioritize a schedule of virtual committee meetings whose scope of oversight relates to government departments driving Covid-19 response measures.
These committees will be required to step up their oversight commitments, particularly on Covid-19 issues, and will hold joint meetings.
Line chiefs have agreed to draft guidelines and rules on how these virtual committee and voting meetings should be conducted.
The sessions of the two Houses will also have to take place during this period, and the presiding officers have framed the rules to provide for the virtual sessions of the House.
“The virtual sessions of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces will deal with legislation and other matters that need approval or consideration by the Chambers.
“There will also be questions for written answers and oral questions and answer sessions with members of the executive. We will publish, in due course, the details of how the virtual sessions of the House will be conducted,” said Tsenoli.
National Assembly President Thandi Modise said they were discussing with the government’s business leader, Vice President David Mabuza, to come up with a plan that allows for oral questioning sessions with the executive.
When asked if Parliament will address the amendment to Section 25 of the Constitution to allow expropriation without compensation, which is currently before an ad hoc committee, as well as various other laws before Parliament, Tsenoli said that the presidents of the Committees will assess the situation, and those matters that could be postponed at a later date would be postponed.
‘Ducks in a row’
“All of our ducks should be in a row working against the virus,” said Tsenoli. “Not only from a health perspective, but also from an economic perspective.”
NCOP Vice President Sylvia Lucas said they would also engage Mabuza, as the leader of government business, on pending bills.
Modise added that they have a business continuity plan for a gradual return to work for the Houses of Parliament.
“If the lockdown is canceled tomorrow, we can’t all run back to work,” he said.
Tsenoli said Parliament supported and praised President Cyril Ramaphosa and his executive and men and women, such as those in the retail healthcare, law enforcement, defense and essentials sectors, who risked their lives to beat the virus.
He also extended the condolences of Parliament to those who lost their lives and thanked the contributions to the Solidarity Fund to help combat Covid-19.
“As presiding officials, we have also decided to support this good initiative and will donate a third of our monthly salaries to the fund over the next three months,” said Tsenoli.
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