CAPE TOWN, August 20, 2008 (AFP) - South Africa on Wednesday passed legislation abolishing the right of lawmakers to switch party allegiance and retain their seats in parliament.

The ruling African National Congress and opposition parties backed the scrapping of the practice, which was termed unconstitutional.

Yunus Carrim, chairman of the justice committee, said floor-crossing had 'become a circus' as individuals could establish parties with no support base from their seat in parliament.

'It was never intended that floor crossing would be reduced to this farce and it has to be ended,' he said.

The legislation allowing floor-crossing was enacted in 2002. It allowed for two 15-day defection periods between five-yearly elections when elected officials could switch political parties without forfeiting their seats.

'If ever there was a travesty of democracy it was floor-crossing. The bill will now put an end to the violation of our constitution,' said Inkatha Freedom Party chief whip Koos van der Merwe.