MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / Archives for Parliament

Parliament

Parliament’s Presiding Officers on The Cape Town Minibus Taxi Strike

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
Download logo

The Presiding Officers of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, the National Assembly Speaker Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the National Council of Province Chairperson Mr Amos Masondo, express deep concern, and distress regarding the ongoing minibus taxi strike in Cape Town, which has been going on since last week. The situation has escalated to include violence, road closures, and vandalism of public and private vehicles, causing significant disruptions to the daily lives of citizens.

We extend heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased who lost their lives during this protest. The loss of lives in this manner is a tragedy that we mourn deeply, and we stand in solidarity with the affected families during this difficult time.

We call for an urgent and peaceful resolution to the impasses between the City of Cape Town and the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco). We recognize that the taxi industry plays a vital role in the transportation of millions of South Africans daily, and we urge all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue to find common ground and resolve the issues at hand.

However, we strongly condemn the acts of violence and criminality that have marred the strike. The loss of life and burning of vehicles are not only tragic but also undermine the principles of peaceful protest and lawful expression of grievances. We call on all protesters and participants to respect the rule of law and the rights of others while expressing their demands.

The impact of this strike extends beyond the transportation sector. The disruption of schooling for approximately 287,420 learners and the strain placed on health and emergency services is deeply concerning. The free movement of people, access to essential services, and economic activities within the city have been severely affected, causing untold hardship for residents and businesses alike.

In light of these developments, we appeal to all parties to act responsibly and with restraint. We urge the City of Cape Town and Santaco to prioritize the well-being and safety of all citizens and find a speedy resolution to the current impasse.

We call on the leadership of Santaco and other stakeholders to engage in peaceful and constructive negotiations with the City of Cape Town to find a resolution that addresses the concerns of the taxi industry while ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.

In conclusion, we call for an immediate cessation of violence, vandalism, and disruptions to essential services. We believe that peaceful and law-based protests are an essential part of our democratic society, and we encourage all parties to express their grievances through lawful means.

We must work together, as responsible citizens and stakeholders, to find a peaceful and lasting solution to this crisis. We are confident that through dialogue, understanding, and cooperation, we can overcome issues that are at the heart of this situation to ensure the well-being of everyone.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Read moreParliament’s Presiding Officers on The Cape Town Minibus Taxi Strike

Police Committee Acting Chairperson Calls for Heightened Policing in Cape Town and Johannesburg

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
Download logo

The Acting Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Nocks Seabi, has called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to heighten policing and ensure that the rule of law is implemented both in Cape Town, which is experiencing violence related to a taxi strike, and the perennial challenge posed by illegal mining in the City of Johannesburg.

“Heightened police visibility in Cape Town will go a long way in ensuring adherence to the rule of law on one hand while protecting the right to protest as enshrined by the Constitution. While we welcome assurances given by the police, it is critically important that the right to protest does not infringe on the civil rights of those who choose not to protest,” Mr Seabi argued.

The Acting Chairperson underscored the concern around violent behaviour that might undermine to some extent genuine concerns within the transport industry. The burning and stoning of cars and blocking of roads negatively affect South Africans and directly undermine efforts to drive economic growth. “We call on protesters to raise their objections within the confines of the law and urge the SAPS to arrest and ensure prosecution of those that carry out illegal acts,” Mr Seabi said.

Regarding the illegal mining problem in Johannesburg, the Acting Chairperson has emphasised that an intelligence-led operation is critical to address the problem. Also, a multisectoral approach is necessary to address the complex problems that give rise to illegal mining operations. “Above all, the SAPS must ensure the arrest of syndicates operating in the environment to ensure that this form of illegality is uprooted,” Mr Seabi said.

Mr Seabi welcomed the increased police operations in Riverlea but has called for similar operation across all hotspot areas.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Read morePolice Committee Acting Chairperson Calls for Heightened Policing in Cape Town and Johannesburg

South Africa is Facing many Challenges but this too shall pass

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
Download logo

The former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, has called on stakeholders within the South African legislative sector to do what they can and focus on resolving the many challenges facing South Africa. Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka was speaking at the opening of the 2023 Legislative Sector Development Seminar at the Sun City Convention Centre in North West Province.

The theme of the seminar is “Building a capable and strong legislative sector that realises open, responsive and accountable government and aims to reflect on progress made towards achieving the goals of developing an effective oversight tool as well as putting measures in place for an effective and efficient 7th parliamentary term”.

This capacity-building initiative is held every two years to facilitate interaction and an exchange of ideas within the legislative sector. This conference is also significant as it is the first one since the Covid-19 pandemic. Best practice models will be analysed to see how Parliament and the nine provincial legislatures can better respond to the challenges currently facing South Africa.

“We have to be frank that some things are not going well but this too shall pass. What I ask is that you hold your peace, do your work in your area of responsibility and focus on having a legislative sector that has empathy and fairness in the implementation of its work,” Dr Mlambo Ngcuka said.

The former Deputy President also suggested that if the sector is to achieve its intended objectives, it must adopt a SMART system approach. “We must be specific and clear on what we want to achieve, have tools to measure the impact of the laws we make. The goals we make must be achievable so that we don't sell false dreams to the people. Also, the work of legislatures must be relevant to the challenges faced by many South Africans. We should not just be busy for appearance. And, finally, the work of legislatures must be timebound so that we are able to assess if we are reaching our targets,” Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka suggested.

 She also highlighted the importance of a strong skills base if the sector is to achieve its goals. “A strong legislature requires critical skills that will enhance the work it does. Some of the skills required include strong legislation drafting skills, policy analysis and skilled people that will enhance the constitutional imperative of public consultation. These skills are also important in that where there is a gap in the quality of public representatives, they will be able to intervene and assist,” Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka emphasised.

In closing, the former Deputy President suggested that the adoption of this smart framework will result in a legislative sector that is able to utilise the tool of oversight effectively to overcome many of the social ills facing the country.   

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Read moreSouth Africa is Facing many Challenges but this too shall pass

Parliament Undermines Democracy

Location: News

The International Day of Parliamentarism on 30 June should be a celebration of accountability and transparency in governance but instead it reminds us of our Parliament’s failures In a vibrant democracy, the role of Parliament is crucial in ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective governance. However, South Africa’s Parliament continues to fail to live up to …

Read moreParliament Undermines Democracy