WC independent candidate Zackie Achmat hopes to make a difference in Parliament

CAPE TOWN - Only one independent candidate will appear on the regional ballot in the Western Cape on Wednesday, as veteran activist, Zackie Achmat, looks to make a debut in Parliament. 

Given his decades-long history of activism dating back to the Treatment Action Campaign, many pundits believe he stands the best chance of getting his foot in the door. 

Achmat said that should his campaign reap success, he will want to see a change in the way Parliament holds its members accountable. 

Achmat is no stranger to challenging government and also Parliament. 

In the sixth administration, his Unite Behind Movement laid complaints against six MPs for their alleged role in state capture at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) when it appeared Parliament itself was slow to act. 

He believes that as a lone voice in Parliament he can make a difference, even if he’s denied a permanent seat on important committees like the one on public accounts. 

"An MP has the right to attend any committee, you're allowed to make submissions at any committee, and you are allowed to ask questions at any committee, you are just not allowed to vote on it." 

Achmat also wants to see more transparency in the handling of ethics complaints against MPs. 

"The ethics committee has enormous power to investigate. They never use that power. They just take it as a civil procedure and they don't give the complainant the right to reply or to attend a hearing."

Achmat said that if a complaint were to be lodged against him, he would step down from his duties until an open hearing has been held.