The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has filed urgent papers in the Constitutional Court seeking to halt the first sitting of the National Assembly, which is to be held in Cape Town this Friday.
According to Article 51(1) of the Constitution, the first conference must be held on a date and time to be determined by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and within 14 days after the election results are declared.
The MK party's legal action follows ongoing dissatisfaction with the election result. Its lawyers had previously written to the clerk of parliament and Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, asking them to halt the first sitting of parliament.
Lawyers warned that legal action would be taken if the demands were not met.
The Election Commission has already handed over the list of members of Parliament and state assemblies to the Chief Justice, who will then hand it over to the Chief Secretary of Parliament, ready for the taking of oath of the members.
Despite these developments, the National Assembly confirmed that its first session will be held as scheduled.
The MK Party's objection is being considered, but the Constitutional Court's decision on the emergency application will ultimately determine parliament's further deliberations.
The first meeting of the National Assembly is scheduled for Friday.
The MK party filed emergency papers with the Constitutional Court to block the first session of parliament.
Article 51(1) of the Constitution provides that the first conference must be held at a date and time to be determined by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, but not later than 14 days after the election results are declared. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/HaoMlf3jtI— Canny Maphanga (@CannyMaphanga) June 11, 2024
BREAKING: Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has set the first sitting of the National Assembly for Friday 14 June 2024. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/FZ5UxmXmui
— Canny Maphanga (@CannyMaphanga) June 10, 2024
of translation: The parties filed documents translator They are trying to block the first session of Parliament on Friday. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/JXZvxEuNU5
— Zoleka Khodash (@ZOLEKV_Q) June 11, 2024
