Call for first sitting of Parliament not at mercy of political parties' coalition talks: Zondo

JOHANNESBURG - Chief Justice Raymond Zondo says the progress of coalition talks won't influence his decision to set a date for parliament’s first sitting. 

As the head of the country’s judiciary, Zondo has the responsibility to announce the date for the first sitting of the National Assembly. 

However, it must not be later than 14 days after the declaration of election results. 

On Thursday, at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, Zondo received the lists of members that will be representing several political parties in Parliament and the nine provincial legislatures.

South Africa is in a unique point in its young democracy.

READ: Political parties not required to have agreed on governance before first sitting of Parliament, says CASAC

For the first time ever, the ANC has not won an outright majority in the general elections. 

Since the declaration of the results on Sunday, parties have been scrambling to form a coalition government.

Zondo said the talks would have no influence on when the National Assembly would hold its first sitting.

“The calling of the first sitting of Parliament is not dependent on what progress parties are making in their negotiations.”

Zondo said the date for the first sitting of the National Assembly would be announced soon.