DA calls on Speaker to extend Nkandla ad hoc committee reporting date following ANC delays
Note to editors: This is the press statement that was distributed during a press conference hosted by the DA Parliamentary Leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, and the DA Parliamentary Caucus Chairperson, Dr Wilmot James MP, today at Parliament.
On 9 April 2014, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu, made an important decision to establish an ad hoc committee to probe the multi-million rand scandal surrounding the upgrading of President Jacob Zuma's private home in KwaZulu-Natal.
This was a key moment for Parliament, for the constitution and for accountability - all of which had been treated with complete disdain by the ANC in the preceding two years, while the DA fought relentlessly for answers.
It is therefore a disgrace that once more, the ANC of President Jacob Zuma has resorted to closing down the parliamentary space for scrutiny and transparency by deliberately delaying the appointment of its 7 members on the committee, and preventing the committee from beginning its work, as mandated by the Speaker.
The ANC's conduct must be condemned in the strongest terms, not only because it has undermined the Office of the Speaker and the decision that he has taken on this matter, but also because it shows once again that when faced with a choice between fighting corruption and protecting President Zuma, the ANC always chooses the latter.
This epitomises the arrogance of the ANC under President Zuma. Ignorance is always the defence and decisive action is never an option. While cronies enrich themselves using public funds, ordinary South Africans remain destitute, unemployed, and trapped in the cycle of poverty.
That is why the DA will not give up in our fight for answers, nor will we stop pushing for this ad hoc committee to begin its work, to function fully, and to make use all of its powers.
In terms of parliamentary rule 215(2) (3), the Speaker must appoint members of the ad hoc committee within 10 working days after the committee is established. The Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports (ATC) document which announced the establishment of the committee, is dated 9 April 2014.
We believe that the ANC should now submit their names to the Speaker immediately and that those names should be reflected in the ATC by latest tomorrow. Anything less will be a dereliction of duty.
Since the fourth Parliament expires at midnight on 6 May 2014, time is now of the essence.
Because of the ANC's cynical delaying tactics, the work of the committee has been greatly inhibited. If it is to function fully and fulfil its mandate, it needs to be given more time to do so.
It is for this reason that I have decided to request that the Speaker extend the deadline for the committee to report back to Parliament.
I will specifically ask that the deadline be extended to 5 May 2014, to allow for work throughout the weekend of the 2 - 4 May 2014. I will also ask, then, that the special session to consider the findings - and to give effect to my motion to remove the President in terms of Section 89 of the constitution - takes place on the 5th or 6th of May.
I cannot see any reason why this should not be granted, nor why the ANC should object to this. Their argument has always been that they are "following process". This request to extend the life of the committee is likewise procedural.
But if the ANC opposes this legitimate request, it will then be clear as day that its intention was always to deliberately delay the start of the committee and to prevent it from eliciting answers from President Zuma.
The DA will not give up on asserting Parliament's rightful place as the people's watchdog; nor will we stop pushing for answers from all those implicated in this scandal, including President Zuma himself.
Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance, April 22 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
