Legislation allowing public representatives at all three governmental tiers to change party allegiance without losing their seats is expected to complete its parliamentary passage this week.
The package of four bills will then be sent to President Thabo Mbeki for signing into law.
Once gazetted, there will be a 15-day ”window period” — probably towards the end of this month or the start of next month — to allow MPs, MPLs and municipal councillors to cross the floor.
This first period will be virtually ”no-holds-barred”, while in future crossing-periods — one period in the second and fourth year after a general election — a minimum of 10% of party members will have to change.
The bills — including two constitutional amendments ? were passed by the National Assembly last Tuesday, and the three affecting the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) are scheduled to be passed by that House on Tuesday.
The NCOP’s local government and administration select committee is to consider the three measures affecting the NCOP on Tuesday morning, with an NCOP plenary scheduled to pass them on Tuesday afternoon.
Three of the bigger parties — the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance and New National Party — support the measures, which virtually assures their passage.
A number of smaller parties, including the Inkatha Freedom Party –oppose the bills, as they argue that the measures do away with the principle of proportional representation, which is a cornerstone of the Constitution’s electoral provisions.
The United Democratic Movement has said it will take the issue to court.
According to NNP leader in the NCOP, Piet Matthee, the NCOP is on Tuesday to effect a ”small technical amendment” to one of the bills, which would then probably be referred back to the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Matthee is a member of his party’s team negotiating with the ANC, with which it has formed a co-operative arrangement. – Sapa