EFF and MK Party Raise Concerns Over Alleged Undermining of SA Legislature by BELA Bill Implementation

The implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill in South Africa has sparked significant debate and discontent among major opposition parties, particularly the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and umKhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. The contention revolves around the handling of two key clauses within the bill, which pertain to the admissions and language policies at schools.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent enactment of the bill has brought this issue to the fore. Although the President signed the BELA Bill into law last month, he postponed the effectuation of two contentious clauses for a period of three months, in a move to facilitate additional discourse on the debated provisions. However, this deferment and the President's method of approach have not been well received by the opposition.

♦️Happening Today♦️

Catch the EFF National Chairperson Veronica Mente on Radio 702 today at 21H00 as she discusses the recent pressure on the Speaker of Parliament to clarify Parliament’s role in the two clauses of the BELA Bill that have been deferred.

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— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 21, 2024

The EFF, represented by Veronica Mente, voiced their disapproval loudly. Mente argued that, should the President find aspects of the bill unsatisfactory, the proper course of action would be to return it to Parliament for reconsideration, instead of bypassing the legislative body. The implication is that the legislature's authority is being discounted, squeezing the space for parliamentary debate and oversight in matters of national importance.

Concurrently, the MK Party's Mzwanele Manyi has accused the President of acquiescing to the interests of the Democratic Alliance (DA), suggesting a partisan bias in the handling of the bill's clauses. This accusation raises questions about the integrity of the legislative process and hints at underlying political maneuvers possibly influencing the handling of the education reform.

The influence of the opposition's grievances is set to expand as these issues are scheduled for discussion by the Parliamentary Basic Education committee. Speaker Thoko Didiza's commitment to engage with the executive on the process signals the gravity of the situation and the necessity for a clear resolution to uphold the faith in the legislative process.

As the conversation continues, the attention now turns to the outcomes of the upcoming discussions and the potential implications for the legislative framework of South Africa. This issue underlines the sensitive nature of educational reform and the balance of power between Parliament and the executive branch. It reinforces the need for a transparent and accountable approach to governance, particularly when it comes to enacting laws that affect the future of the nation's educational landscape.