Parliamentary democracy is under threat in SA
The fascist conduct of EFF MPs, their violent removal and the militarisation of Parliament by the executive are threats to democracy
Although our constitution makes a fundamental break with the concept and practice of parliamentary sovereignty, which is one of the definitive features of the esteemed Westminster paradigm, the designation parliament has been retained for the legislature of our constitutional democracy, involving a rigid constitution and an enforceable Bill of Rights. Our constitution retains a parliamentary system of government, rather than a presidential one, as prevails in the US. Parliament is as a result not merely a law maker, it has in addition the function to represent and speak on behalf of the electorate as well as to exercise control over the executive, through a system of responsible government, which is the definitive feature of a parliamentary system of government. In a liberal democracy, such as prevails in SA, Parliament cannot fall under the monopoly of one party, or of the executive authority of the day. The governing party, like all other parties, is subject to the rules and norms...
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