ActionSA vows to address parliamentary rule lapses that allow unethical people to become MPs
The party said legislation was being formulated as part of a drive for uncompromised leadership in the legislature.
From (left) ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba and national caucus leader Athol Trollip during briefing on Parliament's performance after 100 days on 14 October 2024. Picture: Babalo Ndenze/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - ActionSA says it will take the lead in addressing lapses in parliamentary rules that allow "impeached" and unethical people to be Members of Parliament (MPs).
The party said that legislation was being formulated as part of a drive for uncompromised leadership in the legislature.
ActionSA's leadership and Parliament caucus briefed the media on Monday, detailing the party’s performance as well as its assessment of the GNU in the first 100 days.
READ: GNU's already failed to deliver, showing signs of weakness, says ActionSA
ActionSA has promised to be an effective opposition and occupy what it calls the "rational centre" in Parliament since parties represented in government make up nearly 70% of MPs.
Parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said this "powerful bloc" could easily abuse powers in Parliament.
He said that one priority was ensuring ethical leadership by changing the rules to prevent people impeached from high office from coming to Parliament.
"We want to make sure that people who are compromised beyond bankruptcy and unrehabilitated insolvency or people who have been sentenced to jail for more than a year and that it includes people that have been impeached from high public office serving as members of Parliament."
Chief whip Lerato Ngobeni said the matter would be brought through a private members bill in due course to ensure elected members were beyond reproach.