AD HOC COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE TO REMAIN

4 September 2014

The terms of reference of the ad hoc committee set to consider the President's report on the security upgrades at his private home will remain unchanged in line with the House resolution of19 August 2014.

This decision was taken following extensive discussion amongst chief whips of various political parties in Parliament regarding the contentious phrasing of the terms of reference, which resulted in the first ad hoc committee meeting prematurely adjourning last week.

As we have consistently stressed, although the resolution of the House states that the committee's task is to consider the President's report, the committee will be guided by Rule 138 of the Assembly Rules in conducting its business.

The ad committee will therefore deal with all relevant reports: the President's report, Inter-ministerial committee report, the joint standing committee on intelligence report, public protector's report and the Special Investigations Unit report.

This is what the Chief Whip of the ANC emphasised when the House adopted the resolution and the record (Hansard) of this may be used for guidance by the committee when it meets on 9 September.

As we argued in the aborted meeting of the ad hoc committee last week, the terms of reference as they stand are clear enough to allow the committee to achieve its mandate. We are therefore pleased that the parties have reached consensus on this matter and that the committee can begin its work without delay.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, September 4 2014

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