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.

Her statement that filibustering is not within the practices of the South African Parliament is a sad one.  She should get with the times, not resist them.  Filibustering is an essential component of democracy in all the great parliaments of the world and is used in situations such as this one, when the will of the people is at odds with the will of the politicians.

It is only because of our amendments that the Bill was not passed two months ago and we now get a second bite at the cherry which offers the possibility to all of us, including Dene Smuts, to improve the Bill. This is a test for our democracy, as on this occasion more than any other known to me, there has been a divorce between what the people want and what we are about to legislate.

Because of it, the ANC has had an opportunity to reflect on this Bill and, because of our action, is now offered the opportunity to do the right thing and respect the will of the people rather than yielding to the pressures of the securocrats.

Mindful of her exceptional track record as a legislator and her stature, the Hon. Dene Smuts should set aside differences and petty disputes and join forces to ensure that the opportunity we have created to reconsider this Bill is not wasted and substantial amendments can be made.  In this way the ANC, she and I can do what we are called upon by the Constitution to do: represent the will of the people.  If, on account of her personal issues with me, she does not take this opportunity, both opportunity and time will indeed be wasted.

Statement issued by Dr MGR Oriani-Ambrosini MP, Inkatha Freedom Party, November 15 2011

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