National Assembly still sitting with several unfilled vacancies by MK Party and ANC

CAPE TOWN - The National Assembly (NA) is still sitting with a number of vacancies that have not been filled by the MK Party and the African National Congress (ANC).

While the ANC is to still fill the vacancy left by the resignation of corruption-accused Zizi Kodwa following an outcry, the MK Party is still sitting with five vacancies after Parliament said the party's lists of members submitted were not compliant with the law.

Some of the MK Party members still to be sworn in include former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and Gezani “Penny Penny” Kobane.

Party chief whip Sihle Ngubane had earlier indicated to Eyewitness News that the members of Parliament (MPs) to be sworn in also include former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama and former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) chief Lucky Montana.

But this is yet to happen weeks later after the NA said the party’s lists weren’t in order.

In a letter to Ngubane that Eyewitness News has seen, NA secretary Masibulele Xaso says the provincial lists of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga has not been supplemented and "this can only occur if the lists are depleted", which has not yet happened.

Xaso said this was not in line with the Electoral Act.

“There is no indication if the loss of membership of the sitting members of the National Assembly is final,” wrote Xaso.

Xaso said the “administration of Parliament must ensure that all legal prescripts pertaining to the membership of the assembly are followed” - saying the MK Party has not been compliant.

ANC caucus chief of staff Luthando Nogcinisa meanwhile, said Kodwa's vacancy hadn't been filled and they will be advised by the Office of Secretary General on the matter.