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Floor-crossing debate a watershed; The whole issue of public participation, or lack of it, in decision making is at stake, writes Mbongeni Manqele.(News)
- Article from:
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The Mercury (South Africa)
- Article date:
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September 6, 2006
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This month we will see discussions on floor-crossing legislation taking place as a matter of public, electorate and media interest. The government has never opened discussions on floor-crossing.
Its doors have always been shut, with the ghost of this legislation hanging over the heads of the electorate, and those entrusted with oversight and accountability unwilling to exorcise it on the basis that "it strengthens democracy". This is about to change.
Recently the Constitutional Court reminded parliament that it is the voice and carries the mandate of the people, when the court invalidated four pieces of legislation on the basis of lack of sufficient public ...