Local level must adopt parliamentary maturity – The Mail & Guardian

South Africa’s seventh parliament has just begun its work, and it appears to be doing so with a much more collaborative spirit — and considerably less playing to public opinion — than during any of its previous three terms. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)

There was a clear sense of political maturity and decency during the National Assembly plenary debate on Tuesday on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s strategy to break the stranglehold of the construction mafia and other extortion groups on the economy.

Parties within and outside the Government of National Unity came to the debate with well-considered arguments and constructive contributions on tackling extortion, which cost the sector R68 million last year.

No one minced his words as he delved into the weaknesses in the police system, police corruption, inefficiency and underfunding. Contributors from both sides of the House were clearly more interested in Parliament helping to find solutions to South Africa’s problems than in using the debate to settle political scores.

The sensible and constructive nature of Tuesday’s debate is not the first indication that a change in mentality has taken place in Parliament and the provincial legislative bodies.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) chairman Julius Malema last week challenged President Cyril Ramaphosa in the House of Representatives over an earlier promise by the head of state to build one million homes in Alexandra.

Malema demanded and received an apology through a measured argument focused on the ethics of the president’s actions. This is a far cry from EFF members storming the stage or being removed for disrupting proceedings.

Malema was removed from the assembly’s online platform on Wednesday for unparliamentary comments, but the early signs are clearly visible.

South Africa’s seventh parliament recently began its work and it appears to be doing so with a much greater degree of cooperation – and considerably less concern for public opinion – than during the previous three terms.

At the local government level, there is little of the sense of rationality and common purpose that is evident in Parliament, particularly in Gauteng’s urban areas.

There, the political chess game over control of key portfolios in cities continues, fuelled by toxic inter-party relations that have been exacerbated over the past decade by council infighting and mayoral ousters. With local elections looming, our city leaders would do well to follow the lead of their parliamentary colleagues if they want to avoid being punished by voters on election day in 2026.