By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will this afternoon appear in the National Assembly to reply to oral questions on a wide range of key national issues, including South Africa’s response to illegal migration and actions at local government and community level to combat the prevalence of rape and other forms of gender-based violence.
Ramaphosa will also outline the importance of the recent Presidential Social Sector Summit in enabling civil society to be effective in tackling poverty and inequality as part of the national effort to overcome the many social ills that confront communities.
In a statement, The Presidency said the President will interact with Members of Parliament on a virtual platform during the hybrid session due to his preparation in Gauteng for public and other engagements during the course of this week.
“As part of his replies, the President will brief Parliament on how Eskom is preparing to integrate renewable energy capacity into the national grid as part of increasing energy supply and reducing the risk of load shedding.
“Members of Parliament have also submitted questions on the investigation by law enforcement agencies into allegations around the President’s Phala Phala game farm, as well as whether the South African National Defence Force has a role to play in combating criminality in the country,” the statement read.
Ramaphosa has veered away from divulging anything on the alleged cover-up and the extent of his involvement, which caused his previous appearance in the National Assembly – when he delivered the Presidency’s budget vote speech – to descend into chaos as EFF MPs tried to prevent him from speaking.
The political temperature has already been raised ahead of the question session, with DA leader John Steenhuisen accusing National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula of “protecting the executive from accountability”.
Mapisa-Nqakula denied Steenhuisen’s request to ask the president an urgent question.
Steenhuisen also want Ramaphosa to clarify his statement that the State Capture Commission’s findings were not binding, which he made in his responding affidavit in the DA’s court application to outlaw cadre deployment.
This will be the first time since 17 March that Ramaphosa answers questions in the National Assembly.