Image: East Coast Radio
Amos Masondo, chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, has warned that Parliament will enforce its rules if any members attempt to disrupt today’s State of the Nation Address.
He stated yesterday that everything was in place for President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver his sixth Sona.
He stated that they want to ensure the event runs smoothly and hoped MPs would adhere to House norms.
Parliament relocated the event following last month’s fires that destroyed the National Assembly and Old Assembly Chamber.
Zandile Mafe, 49, faces multiple charges, including arson and terrorism.
Mafe is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow after being denied bail last Friday by the Regional Court.
Masondo stated that they expected all Members of Parliament to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the House’s etiquette.
“In the event of a potential fracas in the House, the presiding officers will follow the rules. At this point, we see no likelihood of disruption,” Masondo stated.
He stated that Parliament has reduced the cost of the Sona.
The Black Sash and other non-governmental organizations have urged the president to implement the R350 grant.
The award was launched during Covid-19, but it will expire in March following many extensions.
The ANC has requested that the grant’s feasibility be determined.
Bheki Mngomezulu, a political studies professor at the University of the Western Cape, said Ramaphosa must prioritize security in his Sona address.
“Among the numerous topics on which the president must speak are the reports he has received, which include those from the Special Investigating Unit and the July reports on the disturbances. Added to that is the country’s security, which is becoming a concern,” Mngomezulu stated.
He added that another issue was the Eskom crisis, which has resulted in power disruptions.
“Related to that is employment creation, because a stumbling economy has an effect on job creation,” he explained.
The DA, Cope, and the Good Party also urged Ramaphosa to act, claiming that the time for taking had passed.
They expressed grave concern about poverty, unemployment, and a lack of economic progress.
The economy has failed to grow by more than 2% in recent years.
“The government asserts that it is pursuing a transformative agenda aimed at redressing apartheid’s socioeconomic, environmental, and spatial inequities.
“However, the shift we have witnessed has resulted in increased marginalisation of the most vulnerable people, increased unemployment, increased poverty, and increased inequality,” Good Party’s Brett Herron stated.
Dennis Bloem, national spokesperson for Cope, stated that the president’s emphasis should be focused on security and unemployment.
He stated that the country required certainty over safety and security in light of recent developments.
The DA’s leader, John Steenhuisen, stated that the party desired action rather than discussion.
He added that crime and corruption were also significant problems in the country.
The president must ensure that he addresses security concerns and unemployment, which has reached a crisis point.