DESPITE ongoing attempts, the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal has been unable to establish whether KZN legislature Speaker, Peggy Nkonyeni has approached the Public Protector.

This follows the Speaker's public declaration ten days ago that she would call on the Public Protector, in a bid to clear her name, following claims by the DA that she benefitted after several companies, in which she has an interest, were found to have had dealings with the provincial parliament. 

Claims by the ANC that the DA's allegations were "malicious and misleading" are pitiful given the fact that the information on Nkonyeni comes from a parliamentary reply signed by the KZN Finance MEC - herself a member of the executive.  The KZN cabinet's rush to defend Nkonyeni, pending the outcome of an investigation, is a serious indictment against the leadership in this province.   

The DA is committed to the rule of law with the clear understanding that no person is above the law, irrespective of the position they hold. A title does not render an individual immune from investigation and/or prosecution.  We await the Speaker's announcement that she has indeed called upon the Public Protector and hope that her response was not an attempt to cloud the issue and hide any involvement.

Joint statement issued by Sizwe Mchunu MPP, leader of the DA in the KZN legislature and Radley Keys MPP, DA Chief Whip, September 7 2011 

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