It is understood that Parliament's legal counsel will not be available April 14, and want the matter disposed of earlier. Nor would a later date be suitable, as the National Assembly will go into recess on April 16.
Parliament's legal advisers on Wednesday were trying to secure an earlier date from the Registrar of the Cape High Court.
They argue that they were not consulted by Madikizela-Mandela's attorney.
Earlier on Wednesday, the ANC said it would be unwise to proceed with plans to publicly reprimand Madikizela-Mandela given that she had secured a court date for her legal action.
ANC parliamentary spokesman Vusi Mahaye said the party believed National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala should hold off imposing the penalty, pending the ruling of the Cape High Court.
On Tuesday, Madikizela-Mandela's lawyers informed Parliament that they had secured April 14 as the date for her legal challenge against the institution.
Madikizela-Mandela wants the court to rule that she was not given a fair hearing by Parliament's joint ethics committee, who last year found her guilty of contravening Parliament's code of conduct.
"We cannot proceed. Whatever action we take would be subject to the decision of the court. It would be an unwise thing to do," Mahaye told Sapa.
However, the ANC was awaiting an opinion from Parliament's lawyers on the issue, he said.
Ginwala was not immediately available for comment.
She had given Madikizela-Mandela until Wednesday (today) to appear in the National Assembly to be publicly censured - Sapa.
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