A critical analysis of political independence in the role and responsibilities of the Speaker of the National Assembly.
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Date
2021
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Abstract
The former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete, was the subject of numerous
accusations of showing partisanship towards the ruling party culminating in a case before the
High Court. This permitted the ruling party to control debate in Parliament while limiting the
oversight potential of Members of Parliament belonging to different political parties. The
Office of the Speaker could better serve the people of South Africa if the incumbent were to be
politically independent by surrendering their party membership upon election. In the British
Westminster model of Parliament, upon which the South African parliamentary system is
based, the Office of the Speaker is characterised by indomitable autonomy and respect. An
examination into the history and origin of the Office of the Speaker in Great Britain shows that
the independence of the Office is crucial in preventing the abuse of state power. A partisan
Speaker is dangerous to the separation of powers as it allows the needs of the ruling party to
usurp the interests of the people. Adopting a model closer to that of the British Westminster
system would allow for greater accountability of the executive by allowing opposition parties
to perform their constitutional oversight obligations and it would restore public faith in the
legislature.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.