04 July 2024
The Caucus of the African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament welcomes the
swearing-in of members of the National Executive by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo
on Wednesday, 3 July 2024 thus marking the commencement of the 7th
Administration.
The Caucus further congratulates our members who have been deployed to various
responsibilities in government and we stand ready to support their work while ensuring
that the executive branch remains accountable to the South African citizens through
Parliament. Consequently, the Caucus cautions the National Executive, which
comprises seven political parties represented in the GNU, to act as one Executive led
by President Cyril Ramaphosa as Head of the Executive as defined in s83 of the
Constitution and not as individual political parties in the Executive. We have already
noted some GNU partners seeking to distinguish themselves along party lines in the
Executive, a worrying tendency which, if left unchecked, would go against the spirit of
the Constitution, which calls for collective accountability of a single Executive.
Following an intensive four-day induction and orientation programme attended by our
members from 02 to 05 July 2024, the ANC Caucus is committed to fervently
advancing towards completing all necessary measures for the 7th Parliament to serve
as the tribune of the people.
Significant progress has already been made with parliamentary committees being
formed. The committees are configured to execute their constitutionally mandated
responsibility to hold the respective departments and organs of state in the seventh
administration accountable. In furtherance of our mandate to ensure scrutiny and
exercise oversight over the work of government, the ANC, led by the Chief Whip will,
as a matter of urgency, engage parties participating in the Government of National
Unity (GNU) to appoint the Chairpersons and Whips of the parliamentary oversight
committees as approved by the Rules Committee.
The people of South Africa anticipate a Parliament that embodies their interests and
caters for their needs. We are resolute in transforming this expectation into a tangible
reality, ensuring that the 7
th Parliament is an instrument of people’s power and belongs
to the masses.
Ends
Issued by the ANC Parliamentary Caucus
For further details, contact the Chief Whip of the ANC
Hon. Mdumiseni Ntuli (MP)
Contact no.: 079 889 8406