Two Democratic Alliance MPs walked out of the National Assembly's social development committee yesterday afternoon after proceedings "collapsed into a chaotic state of disarray".

The committee is currently deliberating on four bills, including the Social Assistance Bill and the Social Security Agency Bill.

In a statement afterwards, DA spokesperson Gloria Borman said this was due to Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya and his department's "rush job" approach to these bills.

Borman and fellow DA MP Manny da Camara said they had "no choice" but to walk out on the proceedings.

"The DA will not be part of a process which is poorly organized and managed," Borman said.

She accused Skweyiya of being "intent on passing at least one piece of legislation through Parliament before the 2004 election regardless of the fact that the four bills in question are so fraught with problems that, if they were adopted in their current form, they would be of no benefit to anyone".

"That is the only explanation for why Parliament's social development portfolio committee is expected to suddenly deal with these important bills in a matter of days.

"In the four and a half years till now the committee was not asked to deal with any legislation. Why the sudden rush now? Is the minister trying to impress the president? And at what cost to the children?" she asked.

"The DA, along with all child rights' organisations who have made presentations to the committee, is opposed to the department proceeding with these bills, including the South African Social Security Agency Bill (which takes away the function assigned to provinces to pay out social grants) and the Social Assistance Bill (which sets out the grants)".

Borman said the public hearings into the bills were rushed.

The public was only given a week in which to make submissions, resulting in most of the submissions being made by Cape Town based organisations.

Even they were not able to consult properly, she said. – Sapa.