Opposition parties grappling at straws – ANC
The African National Congress
(ANC) in Parliament has accused some opposition parties of grappling at straws
in the debate around the amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution.
The parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) earlier said that bullying was prevalent during the public hearings on Section 25.
Parliament's Joint Constitutional Review Committee on Thursday voted in favour of amending the Constitution to allow the government to expropriate land without compensation.
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The DA’s Thandeka Mbamabo told a media briefing that the process was flawed and that the ANC and Economic Freedom Front (EFF) pushed the report through despite it containing errors.
"The opposition is of the view that the final report is flawed and certain parts of the reports are yet to be finalised.”
The committee’s chairperson, the ANC’s Vincent Smith, has refuted the allegations – saying the public submissions were carried live and no violence was ever reported.
Smith says the comments by the opposition parties are attempts to discredit the process and that every South African has a right to have their dignity respected.
“The Bill of Rights speaks to everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.”
He says the ruling party believes that a majority of citizens have had this right trampled on in the past and that it needs to be rectified.