Chief justice confirms first sitting of the National Assembly

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has determined that the first sitting of the National Assembly will be on Friday, 14 June.

As per the Constitution, the first National Assembly sitting must be 14 days after elections are declared. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) declared the results of the 29 May polls on 2 June.

FIRST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SITTING CONFIRMED

In a statement, the Office of the Chief Justice said during the first sitting, he will administer the prescribed oaths or affirmation, as the case may be to members of the National Assembly.

This is an oath or affirmation of faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution, which section 48 of the Constitution requires members of the National Assembly to take before they may perform their duties as members of the National Assembly.

In addition, once the members of the National Assembly have been sworn in, the Chief Justice will then preside over the election of the Speaker of the National Assembly.

“Once the Speaker of the National Assembly has been elected, he or she will then preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker. After the Deputy Speaker has been elected, the Chief Justice will then take over again and preside over the election of the President,” the Office of the Justice said.

Lastly, members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will be sworn in on Saturday, 15 June, which is also the same day as the first sitting.

PARLIAMENT CANCELS FLIGHT AND ACCOMMODATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR MK PARTY MEMBERS

Earlier on Monday, Parliament confirmed that it had cancelled all flights and accommodation arrangements for 58 members of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party who were expected to occupy seats in the National Assembly. 

Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said they disagreed with the MK Party’s interpretation of Section 46 of the Constitution. 

Mothapo said Parliament was legally bound to facilitate the first sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces at a date and time determined by the Chief Justice, and no legal impediments are preventing this process.

“According to section 49(3) of the Constitution, until a court sets aside the election results, Parliament must ensure that the sittings proceed as directed. Because the first sittings of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces will take place physically, the Parliamentary Administration is in the process of making arrangements to provide travel and accommodation for all members listed by the IEC, as handed over by the Chief Justice, to attend these sittings and the associated onboarding activities scheduled in Cape Town.

In light of the MK Party’s expressed decision, through their legal representatives, not to attend the first sitting, Parliament has cancelled all arrangements for accommodation and flights for the party’s elected members,” he said. 

On Friday, 7 June, MK Party’s legal representatives formally demanded that Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and the Secretary to Parliament Xolile George postpone the first sitting of the newly elected parliament.

MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the authorities dismissed their request, saying that the inaugural session must occur within 14 days of the election results.

“Despite our legally sound and legitimate objections, the parliament’s response disregarded our request by spearheading an agenda to proceed regardless of such concerns, which are serious in their nature,” he said.