DA to pursue special parliamentary hearings on Mdluli despite unilateral rejection by Chair
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will continue to pursue its request for subjecting the ongoing saga regarding Crime Intelligence Head Richard Mdluli to proper parliamentary scrutiny. The necessity of such hearings is compounded by revelations of a second secret service slush fund and a reported‘pledge' by Mdluli to assist President Jacob Zuma and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
The DA does not accept the Police Portfolio Committee Chairperson Sindy Chikunga's unilateral rejection of our request for a special parliamentary hearing as reported in the media.
While this decision has not yet been communicated to me in writing, the DA maintains that it is not within the powers of the chairperson to unilaterally make such a ruling. We also disagree with the reasons advanced for denying the request, which include the assertion that the "committee was not a court of law and so it could not do anything".
I will accordingly at the next meeting of the portfolio committee put a formal motion to the members on whether special hearings should be undertaken. It is up to the committee in its entirety, as required by National Assembly Rule 202(1), to vote on this matter.
It is well within the powers of the committee to undertake such an inquiry as it is equipped, in terms of National Assembly Rule 201(c), to monitor, investigate and enquire into the functioning, organisation, structure, staff and policies of the South African Police Service (SAPS).