Hlophe accuses Ramaphosa of being a 'sophisticated liar'
Leader of the uMkontho weSizwe Party (MK Party) in Parliament, John Hlophe, has called President Cyril Ramaphosa 'a sophisticated liar' following the President's Opening of Parliament Address on Thursday evening.
The president outlined the priorities for the Government of National Unity (GNU) for the next five years.
Hlophe says it is clear that Ramaphosa did not prepare the speech himself, claiming it was done by the DA.
"The suggestion that his government has created more than two million jobs, we are all South Africans and we all know that it is a lie and I fail to see on what considerable grounds he can justify the GNU in circumstances where there is no crisis in the country to begin with."
Hlophe says he also believes that the formation of the GNU was unnecessary.
"The GNU was a deliberate and desperate attempt by the ANC of Ramaphosa to maintain power and that's what it's all about."
Meanwhile, the National Assembly (NA) Rules Committee has resolved to officially recognise uMkhonto Wesizwe Party as the official Opposition in the House.
This as Section 57(2) of the Constitution provides for the recognition of the "Leader of the Opposition" and Section 32 of the NA Rules also provides for the leader of the largest opposition party in the Assembly to be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.
Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says traditionally, the leader of the political party with the second-largest number of seats in the NA occupies the position of Leader of the Opposition.
"However, the national and provincial elections in May, which culminated in the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and with the second-largest party, the Democratic Alliance, joining the GNU - the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) now becomes the official opposition.
"Dr Hlophe is the leader of the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party in the Assembly and, therefore, in line with the Constitution and the NA Rules, he becomes the Leader of the Opposition."
ALSO READ:
