IFP: DENE'S FURY DISTRACTS HER FROM JOB AT HAND
Today Dene Smuts, MP launched an unprecedented personal attack on me. I cannot descend into mudslinging with her, but must correct her factual misstatements.
Journalists attending the process know that I did not do any filibustering in the ad hoc Committee on Secrecy. I announced that I would do so if the outcome of the ad hoc committee deliberations was contrary to the clearly expressed will of the South African people.
In fact my contributions in the ad hoc committee were so constructive that they often became consensus positions. Unlike Ms Smuts, it is not my style to claim credit for what I convinced the ANC to accept, as the ANC should be praised for accepting it.
My only task is that of focusing on what remains to get through the ANC to improve this important Bill.
The Hon. Smuts seems upset for my having pointed out her error in shooting down the public domain defence, which is essential to improve on the quality of the Bill. Her accusation that I have wasted time in the Committee is false and is not how she should vent her spleen. She should be more mature than that.