EFF and MK Party set to welcome new MPs
The EFF has been forced to fill vacancies due to the resignations of Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Yazini Tetyana and other defections to the MK Party.
FILE: Refurbishment after Parliament was gutted by a fire in January 2022. Picture: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG - The opposition benches in parliament will undergo a realignment next week with new members from both the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) joining the assembly.
The EFF has been forced to fill vacancies due to the resignations of Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Yazini Tetyana and other defections to the MK Party.
The MK Party, meanwhile has added new members who include former City of Johannesburg speaker Colleen Makhubele and Bapedi prince Adil Nchabeleng.
Next week will see the swearing-in of new members just in time for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in two weeks.
READ: Colleen Makhubele to make debut as MK Party MP
On Tuesday, speaker Thoko Didiza is expected to swear in new MK Party MPs Makhubele and Nchabeleng as new members of the National Assembly.
The party says Makhubele brings a wealth of experience in governance and leadership having served as Joburg speaker while Nchabeleng will bring expertise as a leading energy expert.
Meanwhile, the EFF earlier made changes of its own following leadership changes at its national conference in December.
Newly elected chairperson, Nontando Nolutshungu now becomes the new chief whip.
Naledi Chirwa also returns to the National Assembly from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to replace Ndlozi, with Nqobile Mhlongo filling the vacancy of Ntokozo Hlonyane who joined the MK Party.