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South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa warned on Wednesday that the efforts of a small minority of MPs to impose, through force and intimidation, their will on Parliament reflects a contempt for the principles of democracy.
Refusal to adhere to the rules of the National Assembly undermines the integrity of the institution and demonstrates disdain for the will of the people, Ramaphosa said in a statement on current situation in Parliament.
Parliamentary proceedings have been disrupted on a number of occasions in a manner that undermines the proper functioning of Parliament, Ramaphosa said.
Of particular concern is the violent nature of some of these disruptions, Ramaphosa noted.
He was referring to MPs of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) who repeatedly disrupted parliamentary sessions. In the most recent incident on May 17, EFF MPs did not allow President Jacob Zuma to answer questions in Parliament. They damaged property and scuffled with MPs of the ruling African National Congress. The EFF MPs were forcibly removed from Parliament before the session resumed.
With the conclusion last week of the second parliamentary term for 2016, the cabinet has undertaken a review of the current environment in Parliament and its impact on government's program of transformation.
Ramaphosa said the Executive continues to take seriously its responsibility to account to Parliament, with ministers and officials regularly engaging with Parliamentary committees and participating actively in plenary debates.
Ministers have responded to a substantial increase in the number of questions for written reply. In 2009, over 2,000 written questions were put to ministers, while by the end of 2015, the total number exceeded 4,000.
"Despite the valuable work done in this Fifth Democratic Parliament, recent events in Parliament are a grave cause for concern," said Ramaphosa.
While claiming to be exercising free expression certain MPs are effectively denying the free expression of others, he said.
The ability of the Executive to account has been undermined, particularly by efforts to prevent Zuma from addressing the House, said Ramaphosa.
"Cabinet calls on all parties to work together to ensure that the rules and procedures are applied consistently, fairly, and without fear, favour or prejudice. As the Executive, we reject in the strongest terms any attempt, in whatever form, to suppress debate or silence dissent," he said.
He said the Executive will continue to seek to resolve differences and problems through dialogue and collaboration, in the spirit of the Constitution and in keeping with democratic traditions.
