Gauteng Premier refuses to participate in Parliament’s Human Rights Day Debate – DA
JOBURG – DA accuses Gauteng Premier David Makhura of refusing to participate in the Human Rights Debate.
The Democratic Alliance recently questioned Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s refusal to send a provincial delegation to the joint sitting of Parliament for a debate on human rights.
“If the Premier was not available to lead the delegation, then somebody else could have led, especially as there are plenty of important human rights issues in Gauteng, including the matter of xenophobia,” said DA Chief Whip in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Mike Moriarty.
Moriarty also stated, “By not debating, this province is missing an opportunity to hold national government to account for its failure to safeguard the rights of people in Gauteng.”
“This clearly shows that the ANC in Gauteng is not willing to fully defend our citizens in the face of their national colleagues, not on xenophobia and not on e-tolls,” he said.
However, spokesperson for the Premier Nino Zama dismissed any claims from the DA’s statement.
“We dismiss the DA’s statement as a malicious and a desperate attempt to draw the Premier into a matter that has nothing to do with him. Such decisions are taken at Legislature by the Speaker in consultation with the Chief Whips of the political parties,” said Zama.
“Premier David Makhura was not scheduled to participate in this particular debate, he normally attends these joint sittings when required to do so,” she said.
Chief Whip of the ANC Caucus, Brian Hlongwa also agreed and said the DA’s statement is false and misleading.
“These futile attacks on Premier Makhura and the Speaker are unwarranted and mischievous – we urge the DA to use the available platforms for engagement through the Whippery as has been the practice to deal with issues of concern to them,” said Hlongwa.
Meanwhile, Congress of the people spokesperson Dennis Bloem also accused Premier Makhura of being afraid to scrap e-tolls.
“Cope wants to warn the Premier that his reputation and integrity are at stake. He must know that this system [e-tolls] is affecting everybody, the rich as well as the poor.”
The Premier has since refused to support the referendum on e-tolls.
