MBOMBELA – The official opposition in the Mpumalanga Legislature was up in arms on Wednesday when a sitting during which the premier Mr David Mabuza was scheduled to answer questions was postponed.
Mabuza, who recently returned to work after more than two months on sick leave, was to answer questions in the house for the first time in months on Thursday.
However, the Office of the Speaker announced on Wednesday that the sitting had been postponed.
Mr James Masango, the DA’s provincial party leader said it was “an indication that the premier is clearly still not in a position to resume his responsibilities. The ANC must appoint a suitable premier for Mpumalanga, someone that would advance the cause of the poor, someone that would ensure that service delivery is their number one priority.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) had their motion – to elect a new premier – defeated in the house in October. At the time Mr Collen Sedibe, the provincial party leader, cited Mabuza’s extended absence from the house as a reason for this motion.
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Mr Zibonele Mncwango, spokesman for the premier, rubbished the allegation, saying Mabuza is back at work in full force and is attending to all his responsibilities.
“We do not know what the opposition party is talking about, unless they are suggesting that the premier should report to them each time he is in the office or each time he is executing his duties within communities, but that will never ever happen.”
He said Mabuza had chaired the executive council meeting on Wednesday.
“It is a gross misrepresentation of facts to say the legislature sitting that was due on Thursday was postponed because he would be absent. The premier has always availed himself whenever invited to respond to questions at the legislature, except while he was away on a sick leave.
“The premier does not run or manage the affairs of the legislature; therefore he is not in a position to know why some activities are postponed, as he is not the political head and does not interfere with how the legislature is run.
Ms Zama Memela-Gamede, spokesman for the Mpumalanga Legislature, confirmed that the postponement of the sitting had been due to other legislature business.
“It is the business of the legislature to call for the sitting and not the executive council.”
Yet, the scheduled oral reply session is not included in the order paper for today’s sitting.
“The premier as well as the MECs have always availed themselves to respond to questions whenever the legislature has expected them to do so,” Memela-Gamede concluded.
