Moving Parliament is a great idea: ANC
The African National Congress chief whip has welcomed President Jacob Zuma’s proposal that Parliament should consider relocating to Pretoria.
Zuma said, during this State of the Nation Address on Thursday, that a lot of money would be saved if Parliament was moved.
This would cut the costs of hotels, cars and flights, he said.
ANC chief whip Stone Sizani’s office welcomed Zuma’s “bold statement”.
“The existence of two capitals, Pretoria as the seat of government and Cape Town as the seat of Parliament, is an unsustainable, onerously expensive and indefensible arrangement which was intended to serve the narrow interests of the colonial rulers and must be corrected without delay,” spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said in a statement.
He said there was no doubt that moving Parliament would save millions of rands, which could be channelled towards service delivery.
“The time that is wasted on travel between the two capitals by MPs, ministers, government staff and officials of state-owned enterprises could be directed towards boosting productivity,” the party said.
The ANC said they were confident that Zuma’s view would be seriously considered by parties in Parliament.
The Economic Freedom Fighters have already come out in support of the move, though they said it was unlikely to happen during Zuma’s term in office.
The party also called for the move not to be used as a money-making scheme.
More on South Africa
How much it will cost to make Pretoria the only capital city in South Africa
Loading ...