Parliament Cuts MP Leave and Starts Virtual Meetings

Parliament has resumed its business with immediate effect, starting virtual meetings and cancelling the upcoming leave period for MPs, the presiding officers have announced.

Parliament was suspended last month as a precautionary measure to curb COVID-19.

Briefing the media on Thursday, National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Amos Masondo said that it had been decided that the business of parliament would resume immediately.

The leave period for MPs, which was scheduled from 28 April to 4 May, has also been cancelled, they said.

They added that parliament had put in place the necessary information and communications technology infrastructure to ensure its readiness for virtual meetings, and several virtual meetings had taken place over the last few days.

“Parliament will prioritise a schedule of virtual committee meetings, whose scope of oversight relates to government departments driving COVID-19 response measures.

“These committees will be required to intensify their oversight engagements, particularly on COVID-19 matters, and will conduct joint meetings,” the Presiding Officers said.

Virtual sittings of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces will deal with legislation and other matters needing approval or consideration from the Houses.

– SAnews.gov.za