Parties can only amend member lists sent to represent them in Parliament in a year - Xolile George

JOHANNESBURG - Political parties will have to wait until a year to amend their lists of members sent to represent them in Parliament.

Secretary to Parliament Xolile George said exceptions could be made in cases of death, sickness, and resignation.

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On Thursday, George received a list of names from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) that would be representing several political parties in the National Assembly and nine provincial legislatures.

The list of names submitted to Parliament to represent the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party included four people whom the party said it expelled. This also included founder Jabulani Khumalo, who is involved in a bitter court battle with the party.

While not speaking specifically on the MK Party, George said members fired from their parties were not automatically removed from the list.

“If you are using strong language like expelled, it doesn’t take away the right of people, because you may expel me, and I may decide to protect my right in whatever manner in the due process of the law.

“So, until those matters are determined, you can’t say based on the strength of somebody saying, ‘I have expelled you and you, so therefore here are other names’, so the person has to confirm that. It really has to be in the realm of the party and the members’ consent.”

While Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is yet to announce a date for the first sitting of Parliament, legislation says he has to do so before 16 June.