POLITICS

Marius Fransman goes to court to stop SCOPA witch hunt - ANC WCape

Party says DA has appointed a hit squad to go after ANC members with all sorts of allegations

ANC files court motion against politically motivated Scopa

The ANC welcomes the step by the ANC Western Cape leader Marius Fransman to seek relief in the High Court in the political witch hunt orchestrated by the DA to besmirch his name and reputation.

The DA has appointed a hit squad to go after ANC members with all sorts of allegations and even abuses the parliamentary process to get to them.

This was most evident in the kangaroo court of 23 April 2014 when Fransman was summoned with ANC Chief Whip Pierre Uys to appear before Scopa (standing committee on public accounts) where DA members went out of their way to treat them like cowboy movie ‘outlaws'.

They had every intention to appear and cooperate with a fair process at Scopa, but were prevented from doing so. It is now clear from the onset that the new legislature is to continue on a set course to pursue the DA agenda at all cost.

The DA stoop so low as to undermine the Western Cape legislature for cheap political point scoring and mudslinging.

It has thus become clear that with all the bias a fair process is not possible and it was unavoidable to seek recourse through our independent judiciary.

It is against this backdrop that the ANC supports its leader to take the DA head on when he filed a motion this afternoon to the Western Cape High Court to apply for an order to amongst others review, correct and set aside the erroneous Scopa decision to persecute Fransman.

The steps by Scopa includes refusal for time to properly prepare, give a list of issues or questions to prepare for, to address Scopa before giving evidence and legal representation.

Furthermore Fransman asks full access to all documents and records and adequate opportunity to consult with officials to prepare for the hearing.

The court is also asked to declare that Fransman has not contravened the provincial witness act - as is presented as fact by Scopa.

The ANC has confidence in the court and not the process thus far driven by the DA. The ANC also calls on Scopa to in future put that committee above party political interests.

Statement issued by the ANC Western Cape, July 25 2014

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