Caucus Statement on UDM leader's remarks

The ANC Parliamentary Caucus has noted media reports pertaining to a letter written by the leader of the United Democratic Movement to the Speaker of the National Assembly on the recent public hearings on the Directorate of Special Operations.

Caucus believes that the process followed by Parliament around the hearings, which saw thousands of people submitting their views on the matter during sessions conducted in Parliament and across the country, was broadly consultative, open, free and fair.

Parliament's decision to broadly consult the public on the bills was done in the interest of participatory democracy, through which it sought to place people as decision makers in this rigorous process of strengthening the country's criminal justice system. Such a process was undertaken despite the fact that constitutionally the institution is under no obligation to do so, as the bills fall under section 75 of the constitution.

The views expressed by ordinary people during the public hearings will be taken into consideration by our Members of Parliament when the bills are tabled in Parliament for a vote. We wish to commend people from diverse communities for forming part of this important process.

Caucus accepts that opportunistic statements such as those expressed by the leader of the UDM are to be expected during this period leading to the elections. However, they should at a minimum at least reflect rudimentary grasp of established parliamentary processes and political maturity. Disappointingly, the statements were instead designed to deliberately mislead and misinform, and therefore cannot be taken seriously.

Caucus therefore urges the Speaker of the National Assembly to reject the letter.

Statement issued by Khotso Khumalo, ANC Parliamentary Caucus Spokesperson, August 19 2008