Floor-crossing on the way out

2008-08-20 18:05

Cape Town - The era of politicians being able to cross-the-floor to another party without losing their seats will soon be over, with the adoption in the National Assembly on Wednesday of legislation abolishing the practise.

Introducing the debate, Deputy Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Johnny de Lange said a "general resistance" to floor-crossing had developed among political parties and the public at large.

Government had noted this and taken action by introducing the bills.

Since floor-crossing was first introduced in 2002, 1 417 politicians had crossed the floor - 55 MPs, 60 MPLs, and 1 302 local government councillors.

Next floor-crossing window in September

It was essential the bill became law before September 9, when the next floor-crossing window for councillors was due to start, De Lange said.

The Democratic Alliance's Len Joubert welcomed the removal of a "revolting measure from our Constitution", but accused the ANC of political expediency.

"In 2002 when the so-called floor-crossing legislation was adopted, this House supported the legislation with an overwhelming majority of 280 out of 324.

"In December 2007 the ANC at its Polokwane conference came to the conclusion that the political terrain which necessitated floor-crossing has changed and therefore floor-crossing had to be scrapped.

"Translated into plain English this meant that 'we don't need it any more so let [us] get rid of it before it backfires on us'," Joubert said.

Abusing the Constitution

Koos van der Merwe of the Inkatha Freedom Party said floor-crossing had been an "abuse of the Constitution".

In a proportional representation system, such as in South Africa, seats belonged to parties, not to individuals.

"If ever there was a travesty of democracy, it was floor-crossing," Van der Merwe said.

The three separate bills were supported by all sides of the House and now go to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence, and then to President Thabo Mbeki for signature.

- SAPA