What's Happening In Our Parliament Is Disgraceful and Shameful

The recent spats in Parliament have not been particularly edifying. In fact, the (mis)behaviour shown by some of our supposed Honourable Members of Parliament can only be described as a disgrace and absolutely shameful. Calling each other names, showing middle fingers and threatening to settle matters through fisticuffs is the kind of behaviour that befits a beer hall and not a House of Parliament.

When the fifth democratic Parliament started its term, there were promises of robustness and tough debate. What with the entry of the youthful Economic Freedom Fighters and young and fearless Parliamentary leader of the Democratic Alliance. But what we have seen so far are spectacles of Parliament that have degenerated the institution to its lowest level ever since the dawn of our democracy. When the Speaker has to shout "order!" every so often and Members get interrupted now and then with stupid points of order, it does become hilarious. But then, comedians are not what we, the voting public, sent to Parliament.

But how did we get here! The disgraceful conduct has been coming from both sides of the House. There is an Opposition which at times does not seem to understand the principle of majority rule. By all means, the Opposition must challenge the ruling party and hold it accountable. However, it cannot co-govern with the ruling party. The Opposition did not win the elections. Therefore, its objection to the choice of our Parliamentary Speaker and its pronouncement that it will no longer recognize her is taking matters too far. In fact, it heightens the hostilities in Parliament.

Everyone goes to Parliament through a political ticket. In terms of our system, the majority party chooses the Speaker of Parliament. That has been the case since the first democratic Parliament and is a practice embedded in our Constitution. The threat not to recognize the Speaker is a provocative and irresponsible as it would be for the majority party to declare that it does no longer recognize the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. The majority party may not like the latter but it must respect, and accept, the fact that who becomes the Leader of the Opposition is a political decision within the purview of the Opposition.

In terms of our Constitution, the Speaker of the National Assembly is elected to and removed from office in terms of Section 52. The House elects the Speaker from its members during the first House sitting and can remove the Speaker by resolution. Parliament cannot make rules as it moves along just because certain parties prefer this over that. So, it is important for the Opposition to play within and by the rules.

But the ruling party is equally guilty. There are instances when its majority blinds it to do things which are not in line with democratic principles. Accountability is one of the tenets of democracy.

There is a also a point to be made about how the business of the House is run. If prudence is not exercised and the wishes of the Opposition are not accommodated, tensions are likely to increase and we may see more disruptions in Parliament. This calls for the majority party to be magnanimous in its majority rule. For example, the accommodation of opposition parties as House Chairpersons (like it used to happen in pervious Parliaments) can go a long way in promoting a spirit of cooperation in Parliament. Also, an attitude by the Executive which shows respect and accountability to Parliament can claw back some of the respect Parliament has shown in recent days.

One was hopeful about the restoration of Parliament's dignity and honour when we saw last week Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa brokering a deal that could have significantly tempered the hostilities in Parliament. It is regrettable that barely 24 hours after the deal was struck we saw it falling apart. Again, it crumbled because of attitudes from both sides of the House.

The DA leader Mmusi Maimaine who had attended the meeting where Ramaphosa and the Opposition agreed to the restoration of the dignity of Parliament was reportedly hauled over the coals by his own party for agreeing to the Ramaphosa-brokered deal. Also, we have since learnt that even ANC caucus in Parliament had their own reservations about the deal, arguing that Ramaphosa had usurped the powers of the Speaker and was being soft on the EFF.

But then, in the absence of leadership and the risk of Parliament further losing credibility in the eyes of the public, wasn't Ramaphosa justified in seeking for a truce with the opposition parties? Methinks he was. These hawkish attitudes by both the Opposition and the ruling party will not resolve the challenges Parliament faces.

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