MPs want issue of dome for physical plenary sittings solved before end of year
Parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) say all MPs must come back to fully physical sittings, as MPs prepare for the last stretch before the end of the year.
FILE: A soldier patrols the perimeter in front of a makeshift dome the day after the state funeral of late former South African President Nelson Mandela at his homestead in the village of Qunu on 16 December 2013. Picture: ODD ANDERSEN / AFP
CAPE TOWN - MPs want Parliament to quickly resolve the issue of a makeshift marquee or "dome" to host all physical plenary sittings before the end of the year.
Parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) say all MPs must come back to fully physical sittings, as MPs prepare for the last stretch before the end of the year.
In July, Parliament said it wanted to use the dome structure erected for Madiba’s funeral in Qunu more than a decade ago as a makeshift chamber but there’s still no finality.
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In July, MPs met for the first time in a tent that was erected on a parking lot across the road from Parliament.
This was because there was no venue big enough to accommodate 400 members following the fire two years ago.
But EFF MP Natasha Ntlangwini noted how there were no venues committed to host all MPs, including for events like the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS).
"I think it's deliberate while we’re still working on the marquee and the dome issue. So there must be some commitment to venues because we need to come back full physical in the next term."
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza said in July that she'd already met with Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson to get the dome to Cape Town.