Nkandla ad hoc committee delay: ANC excuses don't sell
The Democratic Alliance (DA) remains deeply concerned that the Nkandla ad hoc committee has yet to begin its work because the ANC refuses to timeously submit its names to the Secretary of Parliament.
In a poor attempt to defend this delaying tactic, the Office of the ANC Chief Whip has argued that they are merely following "process". This doesn't add up.
While Rule 215(2) (3) provides that the Speaker must appoint the members within 10 working days after the committee is established, this does not mean a political party must wait the full 10 days to submit their names. This is an incorrect reading of the rules.
In fact, Parliamentary correspondence received by the DA, which can be accessed here, made it very clear that members should submit their names "as soon as possible".
Since the rule clearly places onus on the Speaker of the National Assembly, we will continue to urge Mr Sisulu to intervene to the extent of his powers to ensure the committee begins its work this week.
Time is of the essence. Given the short time allowed for the committee to complete its work, there is no justifiable reason to wait the maximum time in submitting the names. If the ANC had the political will to hold the President accountable, they would have acted speedily over the last four days to identify members.
The truth is that the ANC are in no rush to hold President Zuma accountable, because they know that they cannot defend the spending of nearly R250 million of public money on his private home in Nkandla.
They know too that his refusal to answer key questions, from both the Public Protector, and the DA, will finally be broken once the committee exercises its powers in terms of Rules 138.
They are running scared and doing everything possible to shield the President from being held accountable.
The voters will see this for what it is. On the 7th May 2014, they will have a chance to punish the ANC for putting what is good for President Zuma ahead of what is in the best interests of all the people of South Africa.
Statement issued by Watty Watson MP, Democratic Alliance Chief Whip, April 15 2014
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