DA secures Zuma oral question date

20 April 2015

Today we finally received confirmation that President Zuma will answer oral questions in the National Assembly (NA) on 17 May 2016.

This follows complaints to the Speaker by the Democratic Alliance this term about the distinct lack of scheduled or proposed oral question sessions for the President, Deputy President, and Ministers.

Rule 111(1)(a) requires the President to appear before the House at least once every term to answer questions from Members of Parliament, and 110 (1) requires the Deputy President to do so every second week.

One can only assume that this term’s lack of scheduling was an attempt to spare the Presidency and Cabinet further embarrassment following the recent Constitutional Court judgment on Nkandla, the 'Gupta-gate' saga, and low poling ahead of this year’s local government elections. 

We have also received word from the Deputy President’s office today that he is prepared to attend oral question sessions when Parliament provides a date. 

We will hold him to this at tomorrow’s National Assembly Programming Committee meeting and work with the Committee to ensure that he appears before the NA as soon as possible. 

Issued by John Steenhuisen MP, DA Chief Whip, 20 April 2016