At today's sitting of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature the Speaker suspended me for five days for contempt because I had refused to apologise to the House and to former Health MEC Brian Hlongwa when called upon to do so at the sitting on 15 September 2009.
I was escorted from the Legislature by the Serjeant-at-arms, and I am barred from the Legislature precinct for the five days. It is unclear whether the suspension is with or without pay.
The apology that I refused to make was the recommendation of a report of the Privileges and Ethics Committee arising from statements that I made about Hlongwa's purchase of a R7.2 million house in Bryanston where Mr Richard Payne, the Managing Director of 3P Consultants acted as his representative
This report was adopted by the House against the objections of the Democratic Alliance as the report itself was not even before the House for members to read.
My words then, which I repeat today, are that I refuse to apologise for doing my job in asking awkward questions and exposing corruption.
Ms Lindiwe Maseko sanctioned me today despite a letter sent to her advising that I am shortly to bring an application in the High Court to review and set aside the decision of the Privileges and Ethics Committee and its purported adoption by the House.
The Speaker prevented me from making the following statement in the House on this matter:
"I place on record that there were serious irregularities in the process of preparation, consideration and adoption of the report of the Privileges and Ethics Committee as well as the recommendations. By way of example, the report itself was not tabled prior to its adoption or even at the time of its adoption. Instead, what was tabled was the confidential report of the Integrity Commissioner. The written report differs materially and significantly from that of the Integrity Commissioner. The committee's report was made available only after its purported adoption and in fact was received in members' pigeon holes only on the 17th September 2009. This is a serious and fundamental irregularity. By way of further example, I was offered no hearing prior to the preparation of the report and recommendations of the committee as required by the standing rules of this House. I have taken legal advice and my advice is that if this House proceeds with a sanction against me notwithstanding these and other irregularities I will commence proceedings to review the relevant decisions and actions."
It is unfortunate that the Speaker did not defer her sanction in view of my pending High Court action as it looks like she bowed to pressure from the ANC to punish me.
It is ironic that I am punished for exposing Hlongwa's close relationship with 3P Consulting when they are currently challenging in court the cancellation of their R273 million contract by Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu.
My free speech to speak out against possible corruption has been violated, which is why the DA is going to court to set aside the Speaker's sanction and the report of the Privileges and Ethics Committee.
Today's action makes it a sad day for democracy in South Africa.
Statement issued by Jack Bloom, MPL, Democratic Alliance corruption spokesman, November 17 2009
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