JOHN STEENHUISEN: Parliament lets people down in this time of greatest need

  • 📰 BDliveSA
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 61 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Qulity Score:
  • News: 28%
  • Publisher: 63%

Now is the time for bold and courageous action to get us through the Covid-19 crisis and beyond

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

There is little doubt that the global community, and SA, will emerge from the dark tunnel of the Covid-19 pandemic into a very different world. Apart from implementing the health measures required to defeat the virus, preparing our country to navigate these new waters and chart our recovery is the best thing legislators and decisionmakers could be engaged with at this time.

It is for this reason that it remains completely absurd that in our country’s time of greatest crisis the parliament of our country remains mute, impotent and silent. The constitution of the republic sets out in section 42 that the National Assembly is elected to represent the people and ensure government by the people under the constitution; further, to provide a national forum for public consideration of issues by passing legislation and overseeing executive action.

Parliament spends a small fortune each month ensuring that every MP has access to laptops, data and communication tools of trade. Now, when the time comes to justify this expenditure and deploy it usefully in the service of the people and for MPs to fulfil their constitutional obligations, there is an obstinate reluctance to do so.

For almost two weeks now, as leader of the opposition I have been trying to prod this slumbering beast of parliament into action. I have written to the speaker, imploring her to do something, even if it’s just an ad-hoc committee to tide us over this time, but for heaven’s sake just to do something. This request has been met by sluggish stonewalling and a complete reluctance to act.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 12. in ZA
 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

Sorry but parliament let the country down during the past 12 years - they all took salaries and perks as their entitlement yet didn’t do their jobs to protect the country and its people against state capture and grand scale corruption !!! NOWPAYBACKYOURSALARIES

I expected the Our_DA to say they will approach the court. I guess the legal advice was that there is nothing wrong with the current approach of letting the executive deal with the problem without the opposition second guessing them.

John Steenhuisen must apply for MATRIC exam.

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

JOHN COCKAYNE: It’s ignore the quadruple lockdown bogey and try surviving for golf clubsVenues with reserves will be able to resume trading once the pandemic is over
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

WATCH IT NOW: John Krasinski is spreading good news with Steve Carell, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt in a new seriesJohn Krasinski wants you to know, 'No matter how dark it gets, there’s always good in the world.'
Source: Channel24 - 🏆 48. / 51 Read more »

Three tricks to help you stop biting your nailsIn these anxious times, don’t let a nail biting habit get you down and further increase the risk of spreading germs unnecessarily. Kick the habit with these basic tips. 1. KEEP NAILS SHORT It may seem obvious but long nails carry a lot of germs, and in a time when hand washing and germ prevention is so important, ensuring that nails are kept short not only reduces the amount of bacteria hands harbour, but also eliminates the urge to bite nails as there is no extra length to serve as temp... How coronavirus feeds on the poor: US smartphone data reveals high-income earners can stay at home during the pandemic, while low-income workers have travel to work and expose themselves
Source: SowetanLIVE - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

Indigenous peoples need extra protection from Covid-19Indigenous people from Australia to South America, where overcrowding and access to healthcare is minimal, are at high risk of infection
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Indigenous peoples need extra protection from Covid-19Indigenous people from Australia to South America, where overcrowding and access to healthcare is minimal, are at high risk of infection
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Time for a new, people-centred economyIt is time for leaders to establish a new economic model, which puts people at its centre, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »