Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbite by George Michalakis MP.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will today vote against the motion of no confidence in the Speaker, Thoko Didiza, by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
I have, in recent months, been very critical of the Speaker in her approach to the interdict application brought by the President in the impeachment process. I have also been critical of the Speaker regarding Parliament’s handling of the continuing issue around the Secretary to Parliament, which does not form part of the motion.
I have stated publicly that Parliament deserves a strong Speaker who is willing to stand up for the institution. As a result, I have on 11 August had a very fruitful meeting with the Speaker, where I have made my views in this regard very clear. The Speaker and I subsequently found consensus on the following matters:
—- The appointment of the Secretary to Parliament is concerning. I will leave it to the Speaker to play open cards with the court in the matter that the DA has now taken to court. However, we agreed that a clear recruitment policy must be put in place to appoint the Secretary to Parliament and all Senior Managers.
—- The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament must be made more effective.
—- The Financial Management of Parliament Act must be reviewed to make Parliament more effective.
—- The Executive of Parliament must meet more regularly, and all presiding officers must be included in this process.
—- 30 years since the adoption of our democratic Constitution, it is time to review our institution, its functionality and its appointment of respective office bearers, and this should be a multi-party effort.
I trust that we will continue to engage the Speaker on these matters.
She has the support of the DA in this, and I hope that her own party will equally back her in making Parliament more effective.
In light of the above, removing the Speaker at this point will be, in my view, premature and not the right course of action to get Parliament working.
She must be afforded the opportunity to strengthen Parliament as an institution, and we will hold her to these commitments and support her in giving effect to them.