National Assembly introduces changes to petitions process

In a move that Parliament characterised as “landmark”, the National Assembly (NA) has adopted an amendment to the House’s Rules and Guidelines for Petitions.

This important amendment heralds a new era of direct public engagement in parliamentary processes, Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said on Friday.

Previously, public petitions required a Member of Parliament to act as an intermediary between the House and a member of the public. Also, before this amendment, the provision allowing members of the public to submit petitions directly, without Members of Parliament as intermediaries, was exclusive to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

Now, this significant reform empowers members of the public to directly approach Parliament, fostering a more open legislative body.

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According to Mothapo, this amendment is not merely a procedural change but represents a profound commitment and effective mechanism for swift and direct interventions in addressing service delivery challenges and other public concerns relating to government’s obligations to the public.

“A notable and key development in the petitions process is the introduction of a Petitions Framework that applies to both Houses of Parliament. The Framework creates a definitive period of about three months for processing each petition, ensuring expeditious and efficient responses to the needs of the people of South Africa.

“This responsiveness underlines Parliament’s endeavour to continuously enhance its oversight and accountability interventions, ensuring deeper engagement with the issues affecting its citizens and their quality of life. By allowing direct submission of petitions, subject to specific conditions, the NA is dismantling barriers to democratic participation, fostering a more transparent and accessible legislative process,” Mothapo added.

The South African Constitution permits the National Assembly and its committees to receive petitions from individuals and institutions. They must conform to the format prescribed by the Speaker and align with the guidelines of the Rules Committee, specifically adhering to Assembly Rules 345 to 347.

These guidelines cover language, signing, submission, clarity, decorum, and provision of supporting documentation.