Parties in Parliament concerned about impact of lack of meeting space on 7th administration

CAPE TOWN - Political parties in Parliament say they are concerned about the impact a lack of meeting space will have on the seventh administration. 

The National Assembly chamber remains gutted since a suspected arson attack destroyed its main building in January 2022. 

Political parties have called for a full update on the status of the rebuild project, and alternative meeting spaces as the house prepares for its first plenary on Tuesday. 

As Parliament looks to move away from hybrid sittings introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the damage left by the fire has left it without a space big enough to accommodate all 400 members. 

Political parties are not happy they will have to send reduced contingents to plenaries held in smaller venues. 

In the first programme committee meeting on Friday, the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said there was also no caucus space for them, and they’ve had to meet in hotels at their own cost. 

But former house chairperson Cedric Frolick said parties need to be more flexible.

“Colleagues, it’s not uncommon if you go to other parliaments in the world that when Members of Parliament (MPs) arrive, and the venue is full, they stand at the back. We must consider those things under the current conditions that we have.” 

Speaker Thoko Didiza said the issue of venues is urgent, and Parliament’s administration will have to brief parties next week on their contingency plan. 

Next month, the President will deliver his Opening of Parliament Address to a joint sitting of both houses at the Cape Town city hall. 

Parliament’s fire rebuild project is not expected to be concluded until early 2026.