Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Leader of Government Business (LOGB), met with parliamentary leaders of all parties represented in the National Assembly in Cape Town this morning (18 November 2014).

The meeting discussed recent events in Parliament, agreeing that the situation was unacceptable and untenable.

Parties represented agreed to:

• Reaffirm Parliament as the representative of the people, with responsibility for ensuring government by the people under the Constitution.

• Work to restore the dignity, integrity and standing of Parliament.

• Reaffirm respect for the rules, procedures and structures of

Parliament.

• Work together to ensure that rules and procedures are applied consistently, fairly, without fear, favour or prejudice.

• Reaffirm the responsibility of the Presiding Officers to apply the rules consistently, fairly and without fear, favour or prejudice.

• Reaffirm the principle of executive accountability and that all members of the executive are to appear before Parliament as required by the rules.

• Work together to ensure a climate in Parliament that enables members of the executive to appear before Parliament and properly account.

• Reject any attempt, in whatever form, to suppress debate or silence dissent.

• Promote a culture of substantive, quality debate and reject insulting language and personal attacks on members.

• Establish a committee consisting of the LOGB and leaders of parties represented in Parliament to lead a political process to address the current situation in Parliament. The committee will be chaired by the LOGB, who will be deputised by the Chief Whip of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Opposition.

• The current processes with respect to the earlier disruptions in the House will be held in abeyance until the committee has completed its work.

The meeting also agreed that concerns raised with respect to the time allocated to parties in Parliament and political party funding will be referred to the Chief Whip’s Forum for discussion.

The meeting agreed that engagements between the LOGB and leaders of parties represented in Parliament will be regularised.