While all eyes were on the latest defections to the ANC, at least eight new members were sworn in as ruling party MPs on Wednesday.
Among them was George Lekgetho, who has the unenviable task of replacing one of the most popular politicians in South Africa, namely former deputy president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma resigned his seat as an MP in June after being axed by President Thabo Mbeki.
The vacancies left by two former premiers turned MPs, Popo Molefe and Manne Dipico, were also filled on Wednesday by Mmapheko Matsemela and Trevor Bonhomme respectively.
Meanwhile, the seats of the five travelgate MPs who pleaded guilty and were duly booted out of parliament by the ANC and forced to resign on August 1, were also filled on Wednesday.
Sello Dithebe replaces Pamela Mnandi, Mothusiemang Matsomela replaces Mildred Mphaka, Andrew Madella replaces Rhoda Joemat, Winnie Ngwenya replaces Mavis Magazi and Mosie Cele replaces Ruth Ntshulana-Bhengu.
With 10 defections to the ANC, six from the NNP and two each from the ACDP and ID, the ruling party has a rampant majority in the National Assembly with 289 of the 400 seats in the House.
Two ID MPs, Cecil Burgess and Chris Wang, became the latest MPs to cross to the ANC on Wednesday.
The loss of Burgess is a particular blow for De Lille. He played a key role behind the scenes in the formation of the ID when De Lille defected from the PAC to form the party in 2003. - Daily News correspondent