With the government of national unity (GNU) executive appointed and sworn in on Wednesday, the next step for the seventh administration is the filling of parliament committee posts.
More than 30 committee chair posts are expected to be allocated to parties in the National Assembly, but the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) will be the one to watch as it plays a critical oversight role.
At national level, parliament follows the Westminster practice of electing an opposition party to chair the committee. Scopa acts as parliament's watchdog over the way taxpayer money is spent by the executive.
ANC acting spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi said the GNU agreement obliges signatory parties to discuss the approach to parliament collectively.
We have GNU partners not in the executive and they must have a role to play in parliament. Therefore our starting point will be those partners, but the conversation will be extended to other parties outside the GNU as well
— Zuko Godlimpi, ANC acting spokesperson
“We have GNU partners not in the executive and they must have a role to play in parliament. Therefore our starting point will be those partners, but the conversation will be extended to other parties outside the GNU as well.”
While most parties in the assembly have joined the GNU, the opposition benches consist of eight parties including the MK Party, EFF, ActionSA and ATM.
ActionSA, which has declined to join the GNU out of concern about a weakened opposition, has indicated its interest in the Scopa post.
ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont said his party met an ANC delegation and explained its decision to be a constructive opposition that is uncompromised.
“During this meeting we stressed the imperative of a counterbalancing opposition when 70% of parliament has entered government and other parties appear set to be irrationally destructive in opposition.
“Noting the observed tradition of an opposition party chairing Scopa, ActionSA made the offer to serve in this capacity on the understanding that ActionSA will unapologetically be the tip of the spear of accountability.”
An insider said ActionSA finds itself at a particular juncture, occupying the rational centre between the opposing blocs — the parties in the GNU and the so-called progressive caucus in opposition.
ActionSA took up the Scopa chair post in North West last week.
Insiders say it is expected to heed a similar call in Gauteng as well as the assembly.
ActionsSA said it had availed Athol Trollip for the role at the National Assembly, John Moodey in Gauteng, Thoko Mashiane in Mpumalanga and Kgosi Kwena Mangope in the North West.
"These are South Africans with enormous credentials in public service and ethical leadership," the party said.
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