DA requests another COVID-19 vaccine debate in Parliament

After the Speaker of Parliament Thandi Modise denied the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) request for an urgent sitting to debate government’s COVID-19 vaccine plan, the party is not backing down and has sought another meeting.

The move comes after the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize announced on Sunday, 3 January 2021, that 67% of the population would be targeted in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

In response, the DA said Mkhize’s briefing raises more questions than answers and that shadow minister  Siviwe Gwarube has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application, to shed more light on the issue. PAIA allows access to any information from government.

“The simple fact of the matter is that Parliament has a critical oversight role to play and cannot wait until well into the middle of the first quarter to perform this vital duty. To expect a debate of national importance to still hold relevance when the plan should have already been enacted at that time is foolish and would serve little purpose,”

DA Chief Whip Natasha Mazzone

South Africa has already forked out R327 million required towards the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) COVAX facility, which is aimed at securing a COVID-19 vaccine.

The DA had written to Modise before, asking that she grant the party’s request for an emergency parliamenytary sitting before the start of 2021. However this was denied and the speaker said February 2021 was a more suitable date as Parliament would be open.

The party has further said government has already dropped the ball a number of times during the country’s response to the pandemic

Parliament must establish committee on COVID-19 vaccine plan

Mazonne said it was Modise’s duty as the speaker to ensure that Parliament does not become Constitutionally delinquent. She has called for the establishment of an ad hoc committee to oversee the roll out of the country’s vaccination program.

“Millions of South Africans depend on this vaccination strategy to ensure that the Coronavirus pandemic’s constant attack on their lives and livelihoods are halted. They need to know the exact details of government’s plan. They need to know that their best interests are of the highest regard to the Executive. Without an urgent debate of national importance, Parliament can hardly assure South Africans that this is indeed the case,” Mazzone said.