Cape Town - A request by the DA to have US president Barack Obama address a joint sitting of parliament during his visit to Cape Town has been denied.
Obama’s Africa visit starts on June 26 and his stop-off in South Africa will be his first visit to the country as head of state.
DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko made the request for the parliamentary address earlier this week.
But the ANC quickly lashed out, labelling the address a publicity stunt.
This morning, parliamentary spokesman Luzuko Jacobs announced that the joint sitting was not feasible.
“Firstly, as a rule, joint sittings to enable a visiting head of state to address parliament are requested by the president.”
He also added that parliament would be in recess from June 24 to July 19 and its members had other engagements during this time.
On those grounds, National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu and National Council of Provinces chairman Mninwa Mahlangu denied the request.
Cape Argus