ANC CAUCUS CONDEMNS UNBECOMING BEHAVIOUR OF DA ON TOLLING SYSTEM DEBATE
11 October 2011
The ANC Caucus within the Gauteng Legislature notes the unfortunate public stunt by the DA on the matter of the cancellation of a debate which was supposed to take place, in relation to the tolling system. This has come as a shock for the ANC Caucus, as we are under the impression that the DA fully understands processes and procedures of the Legislature. The ANC Caucus firstly needs to put in context that it is not at liberty to cancel debates in the house as this is a legislative procedural matter. The Speaker who is the presiding officer of the Gauteng legislature, Hon. Lindiwe Maseko has given clear reasons as to why the debate could not take place.
The Petitions Committee has confirmed the receipt of petitions from COSATU, SANCO, a private citizen as well as from a DA MPL, representing Gauteng road users. The legislature has a responsibility to hear the views of Gauteng Citizens on the matter. This is a public participation process which is imperative in enriching the debate when it takes place and more importantly find a solution.
The Gauteng Legislature has standing rules, which we hope the DA has familiarised itself with. Rule 123 (3) and (4) of the Standing Rules in the Gauteng Legislature, clearly states that a motion can't be proposed for discussion, if the same matter had been debated within a preceding period of 6 months. This simply means that if this matter is debated now with the Petitions committee process unfolding, it could only delay the process of hearing the views of the public unnecessarily, noting that even if such a debate would take place now, it can't derive an informed solution informed by public views of Gauteng citizens. This asserts that the DA is compromising public participation for its party interests.
The ANC Caucus further condemns the unwarranted, derogatory insults hurled at the Speaker as a result of the DA pulling this public stunt. There is no amount of justification for such malice and immature behaviour.
We as the ANC Caucus welcome that the public has been exempted from the tolling system as our road users constitute a significant number of the working class and the poor.
There is no dispute in terms of the development of our roads and infrastructure, this directly impacts the economic growth and development of the Gauteng Economy, however its imperative that all stakeholders reach consensus on the modus operandi, thus institutions like the legislature remain pivotal in ensuring that voices of our people are heard.
The DA has just proven that its interests are not those of South Africans but that of their party to the detriment of millions of voices which should be heard on such a crucial matter. The ANC Caucus remains committed to our democracy and encourage members of the public to continue to use the Legislature's petitions committee to further strengthen our democracy and their voice in the Legislature
Statement issued by Gugu Ndima, Media and Communications Officer, ANC Caucus, Office of the Chief Whip, Gauteng legislature, October 11 2011
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