For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: Parliament cancels travel arrangements for MK Party members ahead of first sitting; IFP urges KZN govt to declare Uthongathi a disaster area; And, ActionSA finalises national and provincial lists, sends Trollip to Parliament

Parliament cancels travel arrangements for MK Party members ahead of first sitting

Parliament stressed today that it is legally bound to facilitate the first sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces at a date and time determined by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, noting that there are no legal impediments preventing this process.

This after the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party directed its attorneys to urgently seek an interdict from the Constitutional Court to postpone the first sittings of the NA and NCOP, and to interdict the swearing in of party nominated candidates as members of the NA until its grievances are thoroughly addressed by the courts.

Last week, the party also indicated that its 58 elected members, who are expected to occupy seats in the National Assembly, will boycott and not attend the first sitting.

It explained that because the first sittings of the NA and NCOP will take place physically, the Parliamentary Administration is in the process of making arrangements to provide travel and accommodation for all members listed by the IEC, as handed over by Zondo, to attend these sittings and the associated onboarding activities scheduled in Cape Town.

It added that in light of the MK Party's decision to not to attend the first sitting, Parliament has cancelled all arrangements for accommodation and flights for the party's elected members.

IFP urges KZN govt to declare Uthongathi a disaster area

Given the dire situation in uThongathi in KwaZulu-Natal, the Inkatha Freedom Party is urgently calling on the KZN Co-Operative Governance & Traditional Affairs MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi and KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube to declare the area a disaster zone and provide relief.

Last week, a tornado caused enormous damage to homes and infrastructure, resulting in the loss of 12 lives.

Thousands have also been displaced after their homes were destroyed.

The IFP commended all first responders and non-governmental organisations that acted quickly despite the difficult conditions, however, it condemned reports of looting of affected homes.

IFP KZN provincial spokesperson for Social Development Les Govender said traumatised residents need the government to speed up relief aid and help those without insurance to cover their losses, saying most residents will struggle to recover on their own. 

He explained that clean water and electricity must be urgently reinstated to prevent “opportunistic” diseases.

And, ActionSA finalises national and provincial lists, sends Trollip to Parliament

ActionSA announced that it will be sending former leader of the official opposition in Parliament Athol Trollip to represent the party in the National Assembly.

The party announced the finalisation of its national and provincial lists in the final approach to impending inaugural meetings of the National Assembly and provincial legislatures next week.

The party will also be sending to Parliament Dr Kgosi Letlape, Dereleen James, Lerato Ngobeni, Malebo Kobe and Alan Beesley.

Beaumont said the calibre of ActionSA leaders going to the National Assembly will “clearly have the ActionSA caucus punching far above its weight”.

In the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, ActionSA provincial chairperson Funzi Ngobeni will be joined by former Member of the National Assembly Emma More, and former Leader of the Official Opposition in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature John Moodey.

While, in the North West Provincial Legislature, ActionSA will be represented by General Kwena Mangope and by Thoko Mashiane in Mpumalanga.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on the X platform, at the handle @PolityZA