Busisiwe Mkhwebane

The Public Protector has voiced support for the EFF’s motion to move Parliament to Tshwane. Image: GCIS/ Flickr

‘Long overdue’: Mkhwebane on EFF calls to move Parliament to Tshwane

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane supports the EFF’s bid to move Parliament to Tshwane, saying its ‘long overdue’.

Busisiwe Mkhwebane

The Public Protector has voiced support for the EFF’s motion to move Parliament to Tshwane. Image: GCIS/ Flickr

It seems as if the Economic Freedom Fighters have an unexpected supporter for their bid to see Parliament moved to Tshwane. The EFF had wasted no time upon learning that a fire had engulfed the Parliament buildings in Cape Town.

“If there is any appetite to curb wasteful government expenditure and cut all ties related to the colonial framework established by those who conquered this nation, this fire must serve as an opportunity to permanently relocate Parliament to Gauteng. This will allow government work to be synchronised.”

EFF Statement
Busisiwe Mkhwebane
The Public Protector has voiced support for the EFF’s motion to move Parliament to Tshwane. Image: GCIS/ Flickr

EFF reasons for move to Tshwane both political and financial

The Red Berets had responded with a renewed call to see the National Assembly reestablished in Pretoria. In line with this, the EFF explained that its reasons for this are both financial and political.

“As much as we note the fires with concern, the EFF has long called for Parliament to be relocated to a central location for political and cost-related reasons. It will undermine what the thieving founders of the Union of South Africa sought to achieve in seeking peace amongst themselves by splitting the land they stole,” 

EFF Statement

The EFF insists that any funding intended to repair the site should be put towards this move instead.

“The EFF, therefore, calls for any money which would be set aside for repairs of what seems like irreversible damage, unless there is a large-scale construction, to be used to relocate Parliament to Tshwane where the Union Buildings reside.”

EFF Statement

Mkhwebane voices her support for Parliament move

In an unexpected show of support for this motion, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has agreed Tshwane is the ideal spot for a new Parliament.

A social media user had commented that Members of Parliament should get a taste of what SA school children must endure:

“Maybe we must set up a tent so our MP’s can continue with Parliament or they must work under trees. They must feel how unbearable it is to work in a tent like many black school kids who have no proper structures and some still learning under trees as well as tents.”

Modibe Modiba

In response to this, Mkhwebane says that not only is now the right time to move Parliament, but that this is ‘long overdue’.

“Maybe it is time to move parliament to Pretoria? Long overdue?”

Busisiwe Mkhwebane