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       #Post#: 96--------------------------------------------------
       ANC 'shuts down' National Assembly for 75 days
       By: Hawk Date: March 30, 2018, 4:29 pm
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       SOURCE : NEWS24
  HTML https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/anc-shuts-down-national-assembly-for-75-days-20180329
       ANC 'shuts down' National Assembly for 75 days - June 18 and
       August 13
  HTML https://cdn.24.co.za/files/Cms/General/d/7040/3777e77604034bfa89332e6967193d6e.jpg
       The National Assembly will be in recess for 75 days, after the
       ANC "pushed through" an amendment of Parliament's programme to
       allow for a prolonged "constituency" period.
       The decision, welcomed by the ANC and slammed by the DA as an
       attempt to undermine Parliament's oversight role, was taken on
       Wednesday in the Joint Programming Committee.
       According to the decision, Parliament will shut down between
       June 18 and August 13, while the National Council of Provinces
       will be on constituency period from July 2 to July 30. A
       constituency period is meant for MPs to interact with members of
       the public.
       The extension comes amid persistent speculation that an early
       election might be called, despite ANC secretary general Ace
       Magashule's insistence on Sunday that this wasn't discussed at
       the party's NEC meeting over the weekend.
       According to ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu, the longer
       constituency period will "allow Members of Parliament more time
       to serve and directly engage with the people who elected them
       into public office".
       "The ANC welcomes this decision, as it is a step towards the
       attainment of a 50/50 balance between parliamentary sessions and
       parliamentary constituency work. This decision takes forward the
       2016 ANC Midterm Review Caucus Lekgotla resolution, which stated
       that Parliament as an institution should revisit its programming
       in relation to the time MPs spend in Parliament, as opposed to
       the time they spend in their constituencies," reads the
       statement from Mthembu.
       "The unintended consequence of this format is that a gap between
       MPs and their constituencies is created, which does not bode
       well for accountability."
       According to Mthembu, the extension will allow MPs sufficient
       time to "meaningfully engage on matters afflicting our people
       and allow people on the ground an opportunity to hold them
       directly accountable on matters raised with their elected
       representatives".
       'Parliament's ability to process legislation curtailed'
       He said the extended constituency period will also allow the
       executive enough time to fulfil their functions "without having
       to plan around the plenary programme of Parliament during this
       time".
       DA chief whip John Steenhuisen rejected the move, accusing the
       ANC of shutting down Parliament.
       "President Cyril Ramaphosa's 'new dawn' has quickly vanished –
       he has effectively been granted a holiday from oversight and
       accountability. Not even at the height of President Jacob Zuma's
       presidency, with all his 'meandos', was Zuma able to negotiate a
       three-month holiday from accountability," Steenhuisen said in a
       statement.
       "By sanctioning this shut down through voting in favour of the
       amended Parliamentary Programme, ANC MPs have been exceptionally
       derelict in executing their constitutional duties and have
       provided grossly untenable reasons for doing so."
       According to Steenhuisen, the extension completely undermines
       Parliament’s ability to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
       "Parliament’s ability to process legislation is now also
       drastically curtailed."
       "Moreover, during this 75-day shutdown, there will be absolutely
       no opportunity for oral or written questions, no opportunity for
       parties to table motions or members’ statements and there will
       [be] no opportunity to ask oral or written questions to
       President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President David Mabuza or any
       Cabinet minister."
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