DA'S MOTION OF CENSURE CONTEMPTOUS TO THE AGREED PROCESS

19 November 2014

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip is completely taken aback by the DA's decision to proceed with its proposed motion of censure against the President in spite of the agreement reached at yesterday's meeting by parliamentary party leaders under the facilitation of the Leader of Government Business, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The decision to force through the motion into today's agenda of the House is in direct violation of the consensus reached by all parties that other processes be held in abeyance to enable a process of engagement amongst parties. The parties agreed, for example, that the tabling of the report of the Powers and Privileges Committee be delayed to allow this process to unfold.

By reneging on this agreement a mere 24 hours after it was agreed, the DA has acted dishonestly, dishonourably and has undermined the entire intervention. The action of the DA, which serves as the leader of the opposition, puts the entire multiparty deal and process in great peril.

The DA's decision sends a clear message to all that it is not interested in the agreed joint effort to rescue Parliament from further decay by restoring orderliness in the House, preserving the integrity of Parliament and making the institution functional.

It is a slap in the face for all parties involved in this process. The DA's conduct clearly illustrates that it cannot be trusted as a reliable and mature negotiating partner. Its action will only fuel mistrust, hostility and tension in Parliament.

We acknowledge that the agreement reached yesterday was not designed to silence dissent or suspend vigorous debates in the House, but was aimed at temporarily deferring highly polarising and contentious issues before the House until the agreed multiparty committee has completed its work. By treating this process with such contempt, the DA has effectively deepened the problem.

The decision to proceed with the motion regardless is a sad indictment of the Leader of the Opposition, Mmusi Maimane. Either he deliberately misled the leaders of other parties, or he does not have the support or confidence of his own caucus. Maimane has failed to show courage and conviction; he has failed to lead. This raises the question of who really leads the DA in this institution.

The DA's conduct renders the process agreed upon yesterday as meaningless and unworkable.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, November 19 2014

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