MPs in trouble over failure to pass bill

ACTION will have to be taken against ANC MPs who were absent from the National Assembly for the debate on the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill on Tuesday and Wednesday‚ Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said yesterday.

Those who could not provide a justifiable excuse for their absence would be disciplined.

Radebe said the failure to pass the bill was disappointing and a matter of great concern‚ and had been discussed by the cabinet on Wednesday.

The bill could not be adopted by the National Assembly on either Tuesday or Wednesday due to the lack of a quorum because of absent ANC MPs.

Radebe said the MPs were elected as representatives of the people and were accountable to them.

“It is very bad for parliament not to be able to pass a budget,” as this was required for the government to undertake its programmes‚ he said.

The minister said the ANC’s political committee‚ chaired by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa‚ would deal with the matter and decide what action to take against the MPs.

DA finance spokesman David Maynier said the failure for the second time to adopt the bill represented a humiliating defeat for the ANC.

It will now be submitted to the National Assembly again next week for adoption. – TMG Digital