John Steenhuisen land expropriation

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Democratic Alliance Chief Whip John Steenhuisen speaks during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated Jacob Zuma’s SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais)

John Steenhuisen hammers ANC no-shows for “contempt of Parliament”

Some vintage John, here…

John Steenhuisen land expropriation

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Democratic Alliance Chief Whip John Steenhuisen speaks during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated Jacob Zuma’s SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais)

The DA’s chief whip John Steenhuisen has blasted the new administration of Cyril Ramaphosa, following their poor attendance record in Parliament this week.

He took aim at the Deputy President David Mabuza, who he accuses of failing to ensure the relevant MPs turn up for the debates they’re meant to be at.

Wednesday’s Parliamentary session was a brief exercise in chaos. Not only did the EFF see members get marched out of the National Assembly, but there was an uproar when Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba didn’t turn up to the session.

Where is Malusi Gigaba?

Speaker Baleka Mbete read a letter from him, stating that he was too ill to attend. How convenient, as it came on the same day he’d effectively been ousted as a liar regarding the Guptas’ citizenship status.

Steenhuisen was particularly cheesed off because Gigaba wasn’t around to answer questions that had been planned specifically for him. He also serves as part of the Peace and Security cluster, yet wasn’t around for the briefing.

John Steenhuisen attacks the ANC cabinet

Many other ministers were missing from Parly, but Gigaba was easily the most high-profile absentee. And he’s incurred the full wrath of John Steenhuisen.

“Evidently, Deputy President Mabuza is either unwilling or unable to make sure that Ministers like Gigaba toe the line and fulfil their constitutional responsibility to Parliament. Ministers are running scared and dodging their constitutional responsibility to account to the people of South Africa through Parliament.”

“The paltry performance by Cabinet Ministers yesterday is proof that the promises that President Ramaphosa made during the State of the Nation Address have amounted to nothing – accountability has not been prioritized and his administration is already showing signs of treating Parliament with contempt.”

Who is responsible for attendance in Parliament?

As the leader of government business, it is Mabuza’s responsibility to crack the whip on those playing truant from the house. If the Deputy President is unable to call these ministers out, then Steenhuisen is more than happy to do it for him.