Speaker agrees that Nkandla ad hoc committee should begin work "as soon as possible"
The DA has received a response to our urgent correspondence to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu, following the ANC's delaying of the Nkandla ad hoc committee.
The DA had written to Mr Sisulu following our concerns that the ANC was delaying the start of the committee by not timeously submitting the names of ANC MPs who will serve on the committee.
Given that the committee must report back to Parliament by 30 April 2014, we had argued time is of the essence and the committee must meet this week.
The Speaker makes it clear in his correspondence that he agrees that the committee should begin its work "as soon as possible".
Indeed, that is the reason why we immediately submitted the names of our nominees to the Secretary of Parliament soon after it was announced.
It is disappointing that the Speaker does not use the powers we believe he is empowered to use to encourage the ANC to speed up their nomination.
Regardless, given the Speaker's clear note that the committee should begin as soon as possible, I will challenge the ANC Chief Whip to submit their names by close of business today.
It must be asked why the ANC is finding it so difficult to find MPs to serve on this committee. Is it because few are willing to try and defend the President? Or could it perhaps be because everyone in the ANC caucus knows that they can't justifiably do so?
The ANC parliamentary caucus should get their act together, stop attempting to delay the committee any further, and submit the names to Parliament so the committee can begin work this week.
The rest of South Africa is watching and they now want answers.
Text of Speaker Max Sisulu's letter to DA Chief Whip, Watty Watson, April 15 2014:
Dear Mr Watson
APPOINTMENTS TO AD HOC COMMITTEE
Your letter of 15 April 2014 bears reference.
In terms Of Assembly Rule 215(3)(b), the members Of an ad hoc committee established by the Speaker must be appointed within ten working days after the establishment of the committee. Rule 215(4)(b) provides that when appointing the members of an ad hoc committee, the Speaker must consult the Chief Whip when a member of the majority party is appointed and the most senior whip of another party when a member of that particular party is appointed.
According to the definitions contained in the Assembly rules a working day is any day of the week except a Saturday or Sunday, a public holiday or a Monday following any public holiday that fell on a Sunday.
As you are aware, the establishment of the ad hoc committee was announced in the Announcements Tablings and Committee Reports document of 9 April 2014. On 10 April 2014, correspondence was directed to the parties requesting the names Of members to serve on the ad hoc committee.
While I agree with you that the ad hoc committee should commence its work as soon as possible, I must also allow all political parties, including the majority party, an opportunity, to consider which members they wish appointed to the committee in accordance with the rules of the Assembly
Yours sincerely
MV SISULU MP
Speaker of the National Assembly
Statement issued by Watty Watson MP, Democratic Alliance Chief Whip, April 16 2014
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