(The following debate was delivered by DA KZN Chief Whip, Dr Imran Keeka, MPL during a KZN Legislature Budget Sitting held today)
When it comes to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Legislature R850million budget, the Executive Authority, the Speaker and the Accounting Officer, have demonstrated consistent fiscal responsibility, building on last year’s gains, despite reduced savings largely due to member-related costs.
The DA, as a committed partner in KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) recognises the budgetary constraints. Yet we note commendable examples of excellence within this institution, which other departments would do well to emulate. This is further evidenced by the Legislature receiving its fifth consecutive audit, a testament to sound leadership.
The Whippery and the opposition are both essential for the Legislature to function and for democracy to flourish. In KZN, the 7th Administration saw the entrance of a new party, the MK. However, instead of maturity, their inflated numbers brought challenges that are not only disruptive, but corrosive to institutional integrity and our constitutional democracy.
It should be self-evident but it must be said: adherence to the rules, procedures and precedents of the Legislature is not negotiable. It is not ceremonial – it is essential. The rules, refined and benchmarked over time, foster fairness, order, and respect. They uphold the decorum of the Legislature and preserve its credibility. This order must be visible to the public who elected Members to high office, and it must be felt and practised by them.
When Members ignore rulings, behave unbecomingly, or allow theatrics to trump procedure, the authority of the Legislature crumbles. Accountability begins with self-discipline and a deep respect for our rules and decorum. The Turks have a saying: “When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become a king; the palace becomes a circus.” Unfortunately, we have seen this unfold in the ugliest of ways over the past few days.
Oversight, public participation, debate and even dissent are essential pillars of democracy – but they must occur within the framework of the rules in what is now a well-established constitutional democracy. This safeguards institutional integrity and the trust of the people we serve.
The role of the Whippery within the KZN Legislature is not decorative. Whips are the stewards of discipline, order and strategic coordination within party caucuses. They ensure attendance, guide debates and secure unified, coherent action. A saying attributed to Winston Churchill is: “A Parliament without a Whippery is like a city without a sewer”. We know that the reasons for this are the same.
KZN’s political parties receive generous funding from this Legislature, to build internal capacity, hire staff, ensure public participation, perform oversight and contribute meaningfully. That money must bring value to the institution, not noise and disruption.
The DA, now a proud GPU partner, once sat on the opposition benches. We are more than qualified to speak on the nature and function of a credible opposition – not only in KZN and nationally, but globally. When we speak on the failure of others in opposition, it is not sanctimony, it emanates from experience and mastery.
A functioning Whippery ensures democracy does not descend into chaos. When Whips are ill-informed, trade in invective and refuse to do the basic work of reading and researching, their parties become chaotic and incoherent. Within the KZN Legislature, the evidence is plain to see on our opposition benches. To make matters worse, the revolving door of opposition Whips is not a sign of tactical brilliance, instead, it is a symptom of a party in disarray, directionless and undisciplined.
The performance of KZN’s so-called official is not just poor it is emblematic of a malfunction. Its contributions to debates, particularly over the past two weeks, have been shallow, unfocused and largely incoherent while its inability to engage constructively or hold the Executive to account is glaring. All the MKP offers is complaints.
The question is – have the resources invested in induction, workshops and training for MKP members yielded value. In some cases, it appears that it has been a waste. High oversight costs must translate into meaningful contributions within this institution.
Whips within the Legislature must understand their roles with significant depth. They have a duty and there must a commitment on both sides of the House to ensure that the work done for KZN’s citizens is done in a manner that gives dignity to every rand lawfully spent in our province.
KZN’s MKP Whips appear to misunderstand their office entirely. Rather than upholding order and direction, they permit confusion and disengagement to reign.
A properly functioning opposition must be rigorous, fact-based, and organised. The DA knows this better than any other political party within the KZN Legislature. Real opposition will bring targeted pressure to bear on KZN’s GPU – through preparation, clarity and discipline. Not through slogans, not through improvisation and not through incoherent voting behaviour.
Democracy demands credible opposition and a capable, ethical and caring government. Not theatrics. Not empty symbolism. True opposition holds power to account through serious, disciplined and principled work. The MKP Whippery fails on all these fronts. The DA’s considered observation, based on our experience, sees a superficial leadership, a caucus that is adrift and a party with no clear strategy. They do a disservice to KZN’s Legislature and to the very constituencies they claim to represent.
The DA welcomes robust contestation. But it must be grounded in discipline, anchored in fact and driven by principle. On all these metrics, the MKP and particularly its Whippery, falls spectacularly short.
The DA will continue to hold the entire GPU executive to account to ensure the implementation of a capable, ethical and very importantly, a caring state. Our commitment to KZN’s GPU is unwavering and our work is grounded in our vision of an open opportunity society for all.