STATEMENT BY MDUDUZI MANANA IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON DA'S PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL

The ANC regards the recent statement by the DA to propose legislative amendments to the Private Members' Bill for what they term "to reduce the scope for presidential power" as blatant opportunism and politicking in the extreme.

Currently, the Executive Members' Ethics Act and other oversight mechanisms to oversee interests of the Executive, serves sufficiently to monitor aspects of transparency and accountability.

The DA's conjecture that "the potential for the individuals closest to the President to be favoured in state deals is considerable", will not stand muster.

Would the same reasoning be applicable then to allege that the "the potential for the individuals closest to Premier Zille to be favoured in provincial deals is considerable"? To suggest that because the President is in a powerful position implies unfettered access to business deals by his family is inaccurate at best, and misleading at worst.

The raising of the business interests of the President's immediate and extended family borders on witch hunting and a denial of the President's family members (as citizens of this country who are entitled to all the same rights of engagement as all other citizens), the right to participate in the economy.

We welcome all efforts to strengthen oversight, however, where these measures seek to serve narrow political interests and target specific individuals under the guise of oversight; we would call for sober engagement.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, Parliament, Cape Town, September 1 2011

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