EFF wants opening of Parliament moved to August as parties clash over programme

CAPE TOWN - Parties have clashed over the programme of Parliament, saying they haven’t had enough time to interrogate departmental budgets.

Opposition parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and MK party also said that President Cyril Ramaphosa was taking too much of their time this month and called for the opening of Parliament to be moved to August.

Parties were discussing Parliament's agenda at Thursday's National Assembly programme committee meeting in Parliament.

The EFF and the MK Party said that Ramaphosa and his Government of National Unity (GNU) executive were "steam rolling" Parliament, with MPs crying for more time to study the various budgets that were up for debate.

Ramaphosa will be a very common figure in Parliament this month, where he will appear no fewer than three times to first open Parliament, respond to the debate into his speech and also table the Presidency budget vote later.

The EFF's Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said that this would eat into their time.

"Budget vote, one, we are debating him again and then we come back for replies. He takes the lion's share of July."

Floyd Shivambu accused the African National Congress (ANC) of forcing the programme on MPs.

"And to then just steam roll us again without having the courtesy to come to us is unacceptable."

The party called for the opening of Parliament to be moved to August, but members agreed to move some budget debates to next week rather.