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Republic of South Africa Constitution

Act No. 32 of 1961.

Speaker of the House of Assembly.

48. (1) The House of Assembly shall, before proceeding to the dispatch of any other business, choose a member to be the Speaker of the House, and, as often as the office of Speaker becomes vacant, the House shall again choose a member to be the Speaker.

(2) The Speaker shall cease to hold office if he ceases to be a member of the House of Assembly, and may be removed from office by resolution of the House and may resign his office or his seat by writing under his hand addressed to the State President.


Deputy-Speaker.

49. Prior to or during the absence of the Speaker, the House of Assembly may choose a member to perform his duties in his absence.


Quorum.

50. The presence of at least thirty members of the House of Assembly shall be necessary to constitute a meeting of the House for the exercise of its powers.


Voting in House of Assembly.

51. All questions in the House of Assembly shall be determined by a majority of votes of members present other than the Speaker or the presiding member, who shall, however, have and exercise a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.


Both Senate and House of Assembly.


Oath.

52. Every senator and every member of the House of Assembly shall, before taking his seat, make and subscribe before the State President, or some person authorized by him, an oath in the following form:

I, A.B., do swear to be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and solemnly promise to perform my duties as a member of the Senate/House of Assembly to the best of my ability.

So help me God.


Effect of dissolution of Senate or House of Assembly.

53. Notwithstanding any dissolution of the Senate or the House of Assembly under this Act, whether by effluxion of time or otherwise―

(a)

every person who at the date of the dissolution is a member of the body concerned shall remain a member thereof;

(b)

the said body shall remain competent to perform its functions; and

(c)

the State President shall have power to summon Parliament for the despatch of business.

during the period following such dissolution up to and including the day immediately preceding the polling day for the election held in pursuance of such dissolution, in the same manner in all respects as if the dissolution had not occurred.