The first sittings of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will be on 14 and 15 June.
This was confirmed by Parliament, after the date was determined by the Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in a letter sent to the Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George.
According to Parliament, during the first sitting of the NA, the Chief Justice will swear in the designated members and administer the oath or affirmation of faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution.
“All members must take this oath or affirm faithfulness before they can perform their functions in the Assembly.
“Following the swearing-in of the members, the Chief Justice will preside over the election of the NA Speaker.
“Once the Speaker has been elected, he or she will then preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker.
“After the Deputy Speaker has been elected, the Chief Justice will then take over again and preside over the election of the President,” said Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo.
In addition to the NCOP on 15 June, the Chief Justice will swear in and administer the prescribed oath and affirmation to the members and thereafter preside over the election of the NCOP Chairperson.
“The Chairperson will preside over the election of the NCOP Deputy Chairperson.
“The rules that will apply during the first sittings were gazetted by the Office of the Chief on 30 May 2024.
“The sittings will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre,” added Mothapo.
Meanwhile, Parliament stressed that the proceedings would go ahead as planned, despite threats by uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK) that it will interdict the sittings as it is challenging the validity of the election results as declared by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Mothapo said that the first sittings would take place physically and the Parliamentary Administration is in the process of making arrangements to provide travel and accommodation for all members listed by the IEC.
But the arrangements have however been cancelled for MK members, following their stance to boycott the sittings.
“In light of the MK Party’s expressed decision, through their legal representatives, not to attend the first sitting, Parliament has cancelled all arrangements for accommodation and flights for the party’s elected members.
“This measure is to avoid incurring fruitless and wasteful expenditure, in compliance with the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 2009,” highlighted Mothapo.
