Debate of national importance requested

30 October 2014

I have today written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete, requesting that she schedules a debate of national importance, in terms of Rule 103 of Parliament, to debate the failure of the President to appear before Parliament to answer a full session of oral questions for the entire year of 2014.

The rules of Parliament and the Constitution compel the President to appear at least once a term, which he has failed to do.

Our Constitution is clear, Section 92(2) states that "Members of the Cabinet are accountable collectively and individually to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions."

No true democracy should ever stand by and watch a President pick and choose which aspects of his constitutional duties he wants to fulfill.

No true democracy would allow its President to set the terms and conditions on which he is prepared to account to Parliament.

No true democracy should ever stand back and allow its President to undermine the powers of its people

President Zuma has run away from accountability for too long, and in the process he has destroyed institutions which carry out the constitutional duty of accountability and keeping his power in check.

We cannot allow the President to now damage Parliament's credibility for his own sake.

I have given the Speaker until 03 November 2014 to respond to my request and to schedule this debate of national importance.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, October 30 2014

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