Parliament denies DA request for COVID-19 vaccine debate

The Speaker of Parliament Thandi Modise has rejected a submission made by the Democratic Alliance (DA), seeking to hold an emergency sitting before 1 January 2021, to debate over the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccine debate to be held in February 2021

With Parliament closed, the DA believed that it should reopen for the purpose of getting answers from government on a COVID-19 vaccination plan. However the speaker seems to not have considered the matter as urgent and suggested that it rather be held in February 2021, when Parliament resumes its work.

“The Speaker of the National Assembly Ms Thandi Modise has responded to a request by DA Chief Whip, Ms Natasha Mazzone, for an urgent debate on a matter of national public importance: Government rollout plan for Covid-19 vaccination,” Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said in a statement.

“Speaker believes the debate should take place in February 2021 when the Assembly reconvenes. An appropriate date will be determined by the NA Programme Committee (NAPC) in line with the rules on such debates”

Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo

DA wants Ramaphosa to clarify COVID-19 vaccine plan

The party isn’t buying assurances from government, even after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country had managed to pay the R327 million required towards the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) COVAX facility.

The president said South Africa will be amongst the first in line to receive the ground-breaking treatment.

The DA had wanted Ramaphosa to give clarity on the country’s efforts towards securing the vaccine and said it was concerned that government may fail at this.

“Coupled with reports that South Africa missed its second payment deadline for the World Health Organisation’s vaccination programme; indications of large-scale PPE-corruption; and our government’s generally poor track record when it comes to delivery, it is not unreasonable to be concerned that South Africans will be left behind while the rest of the world opens up their now Covid-free economies and resume normal life in 2021,” said the DA’s Chief Whip Natasha Mazzone.

“As we approach the new year South Africans deserve to know the truth about the government’s vaccination plans and what awaits our nation in 2021. We can not afford to get locked into a cycle of lock-downs that damage our economy and destroys lives and livelihoods,” she said.