South Africa's official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), yesterday stated its approval of a report by an independent panel which conducted an assessment of how Parliament was fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.

The DA had repeatedly voiced concerns that Parliament was failing to fulfil its constitutional obligations. These duties were to hold the Executive accountable, to ensure that issues of national significance were carefully considered, and that public opinion was taken into account before any legislation was passed.

DA chief whip Ian Davidson said that his party welcomed the release of the report, and the recommendations therein about "how the institution can strengthen its legislative and oversight role in the future".

The opposition party called on Parliament's presiding officers and other political parties to commit to ensuring that the recommendation in the assessment report, be properly considered and adopted by the fourth democratically-elected Parliament.