Deadlock in GNU negotiations also causing in NCOP deputy chairperson election delays
The NCOP was initially scheduled to elect a deputy chairperson at a sitting on Thursday, but that has been moved to Tuesday next week.
Former Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane was elected NCOP chair. Picture: Parliament of RSA/X
CAPE TOWN - The deadlock in Government of National Unity (GNU) negotiations is also causing delays in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP)'s election of a deputy chairperson.
The NCOP was initially scheduled to elect a deputy chairperson at a sitting on Thursday, but that has been moved to Tuesday next week.
The change comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen have exchanged correspondence where they disagree on Cabinet appointments.
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The NCOP continues to be hamstrung by the GNU negotiations that are playing themselves out publicly.
While the expectation was that a DA delegate would be elected deputy chairperson, the position will now more likely go to the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) since the DA already has the Deputy Speaker position in the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the NCOP programme committee met on Thursday morning, where members were told by secretary Modibedi Phindela that there should be no debate at the opening of Parliament.
“Our view for now is that it may not be necessary to debate the opening of Parliament address because that would be a ceremonial sitting.”
The opening of Parliament address is expected to take place on Nelson Mandela Day - 18 July.