'Return the land to the rightful owners,' says MK Party MP Des van Rooyen

CAPE TOWN - The country’s shortest-serving Finance Minister Des van Rooyen is back in Parliament and has vowed to champion the land issue.

Van Rooyen was joined by former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of Parliament (MP) Andile Mngxitama who also returns to the National Assembly as an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party MP after a 10-year absence.

The two were sworn in on Tuesday, along with other MK Party MPs who missed the first sitting of Parliament.

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Former Finance Minister van Rooyen, who served in the post for only three days in former president Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet said his new mandate was to reclaim the economy.

"Our mandate is very clear. Return the land to the rightful owners, take over the economy of the country, repossess the financial institutions of this country and, of course, make sure that students continue to be funded appropriately."

Meanwhile, his fellow MP Mngxitama said nothing’s changed as he returns after 10 years following his expulsion from the EFF in 201 and a dalliance with his party Black First Land First.

 "Well, I've been away for almost a decade, but nothing has happened in terms of addressing the big question that confronts us."

Tuesday also saw corruption accused Zizi Kodwa being sworn-in despite objection from other parties and civil society.