By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Parliament has confirmed that uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party members will be sworn in as Members of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The MK party won 58 seats in Parliament, becoming the country’s third-largest party in the elections on May 29.
The Constitution mandates that before MPs begin to perform their functions in the assembly, they must swear or affirm faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution.
In a statement on Saturday, Parliament confirmed that the oath of office will be administered to the 58 elected members of the MK Party who were not available to be sworn in during the first sitting of the National Assembly on 14 June.
“Parliament confirms that the oath of office will be administered to the 58 elected Members of the MK Party who were not available to be sworn in during the first sitting of the National Assembly on 14 June.
“The Constitution mandates that before Members of the National Assembly begin to perform their functions in the Assembly, they must swear or affirm faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution.”
Parliament said the swearing-in of these original nominees from the MK Party would be presided over by the Chief Justice, or by a judge designated by him, as this is the inaugural swearing-in of these members following the elections.
However the Speaker will administer the oath to those members nominated after the first sitting.
“In accordance with the provisions of the Act, political parties may supplement or fill any vacancies that may occur on their candidates’ lists prior to the first swearing-in after elections,” Parliament said.
“This ensures that all designated seats are filled and that parties are fully represented. Parliament has received an indication from the MK Party regarding the supplementation of their candidates list with a total of 21 Members.”
While the MK Party’s national MPs did not attend the first sitting of the National Assembly, its National Council of Provinces did show up for their swearing in last Saturday.
Among those on the list is impeached Western Cape High Court judge John Hlophe, who is the party’s chief whip.
Hlophe was impeached in February, with the National Assembly voting by 305 to 27 to remove him from the bench.
This came close to three years after the Judicial Service Commission affirmed a finding by the Judicial Conduct Tribunal that he had committed gross misconduct by raising a pending ruling relating to Zuma’s arms deal corruption case with two constitutional court justices.
Meanwhile former sports, arts and culture minister Zizi Kodwa, who resigned after being charged with corruption, will return to Parliament as an MP.
He will be sworn in this Tuesday, along with the MK party MPs.
Kodwa missed the first sitting of Parliament last Friday and was not sworn in when his name was called out during the ceremony.
This led to speculation about his future and whether he would take up his parliamentary seat as he deals with the corruption allegations.
Kodwa appeared in court earlier this month alongside his co-accused, former EOH boss Jehan Mackay over corruption worth R1.7 million.