MPs to review act that determines who may live in Parliamentary villages

CAPE TOWN - Parliament is looking to review an act that determines who may live in its housing complexes in Cape Town.

Traditionally, the parliamentary villages are occupied by parliamentarians who do not have permanent homes in the city.

But Parliament now wants to consider whether it can extend the privilege to staff of the legislature and political parties.

The National Assembly on Thursday agreed to a motion to set up an ad hoc committee to refine the criteria for allocating parliamentary accommodation.

READ: Housing MPs costs State approximately R100m a year

Over the years, parliamentarians have regularly complained about the state of their homes in parliamentary villages, with some expressing distaste in committee meetings at what they view as appalling conditions.

The threevillages, Acacia, Laboria and Pelican Park are governed by the Parliamentary Villages Management Board Act of 1998 and managed by the Department of Public Works.

The African National Congress's Deputy Chief Whip, Doris Dlakude tabled a motion to review the act.

"In the absence of a clear prescription or prohibition in the act, regarding which categories of persons may or may not reside in parliamentary villages, a review of the act should be undertaken to bring about greater clarity."

Speaker Thoko Didiza indicated that the motion stemmed from Parliament's house chairpersons after a stalemate with the villages board.

The Ad Hoc Committee, which will review the act, will comprise eleven members - four from the ANC, two each from the DA and MK Party, one from the EFF, and two from other parties.

The committee is expected to report back to the house by 31 March next year.