Labour Party takes legal action against mooted R700 million National Dialogue

THE Labour Party of South Africa turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, yesterday to urgently halt the President' decision to convene a National Dialogue and two related conventions.

- ZELDA VENTER

At the heart of its objections are the costs associated with this. It also said the National Dialogue is not a genuine democratic exercise, but a costly and dangerous duplication of the national legislature.

On June 10, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced what has been termed “the National Dialogue”, the first of which is scheduled for August 15 and is expected to set the agenda for the National Dialogue.

Advocate Margaretha Enbelbrecht SC argued that the National Dialogue Preparatory Committee estimates that the initiative will cost over R700 million, according to an announcement dated June 12.