New Nkandla ad hoc committee designed to fail
The DA is deeply concerned by the ANC's draft resolution that has been placed on today's National Assembly Order Paper that seeks to establish an ad hoc committee to consider the Nkandla matter.
The resolution quite specifically refers the committee to only consider the President's reply, submitted to Parliament this past week.
This reply was completely inadequate. It failed to provide a comprehensive response to the Public Protector's report, nor provided detailed steps on how the President intended to act on her recommendations. It was in fact an effort to protect the President.
As such, this committee is predestined to fail. It will be limited to only consider what the President has said, and not what the Public Protector has recommended.
This is an insult to parliamentary oversight and accountability and demonstrates, with even more clarity, the extent to which the ANC will attempt to shield President Jacob Zuma from having to answer for his role in this egregious scandal.
Yesterday, the DA tabled a motion with the National Assembly Table, before midday, which we believe would ensure a real and thorough investigation into this matter.
This resolution would have mandated an ad hoc committee to consider the Public Protector's Report (Report No 25 of 2013/14); the Report(s) of the Special Investigating Unit established in terms of Proclamation R59, 2013; and the submission of the President thereto.
The placing of the ANC's motion before the house today was no doubt an attempt to block this more comprehensive investigation.
We will not let this go without a fight. Therefore, in the House today, the DA will propose amendments to this motion that would seek to decisively broaden its mandate, as set out above.
Should the ANC vote against this, they will be exposed, once and for all, as being party to a plan to protect President Zuma at all costs.
The DA remains determined to get to the bottom of this scandal, and ensure that all those responsible, no matter how powerful, are held accountable by Parliament and the law.
Text of the ANC's draft resolution:
Tuesday, 19 August 20141
No 13-20141 FIRST.SESSION, PARLIAMENT
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
ORDER PAPER
TUESDAY, 19 AUGUST 2014
Meeting Of House: 14:00
MOTIONS:
1. Draft resolution (Chief Whip of the Majority Party):
That the House, notwithstanding Rule 29 which provides for the sequence of proceedings, limits the business for the sitting on 21 August 2014 to Questions to the President.
2. Draft resolution (Chief Whip of the Majority party): That the House -
(1) notes that a Report by the President of the Republic of South Africa to the Speaker regarding the security upgrades at the Nkandla private residence of the President was tabled on 14 August 2014 (Announcements, Tabling* and Committee Reports, 14 August 2014, p 1026); and establishes an ad hoc committee to -
(a) consider the Report by the President;
(b) make recommendations where applicable;
(c) exercise those powers as set out in Rule 138 of the Rules of the National Assembly that are necessary to carry out its task;
(d) consist of 11 members as follows: African National Congress 6, Democratic Alliance 2, Economic Freedom Fighters 1 and other parties 2; and
(e) report to the House by no later than 24 October 2014.
UPDATE:
Nkandla Ad Hoc Committee: Sizani commits to broader mandate
19 August 2014
The DA will hold the ANC Chief Whip, Stone Sizani, to his public commitment in the National Assembly today that other documents, including the Public Protector's report, will be considered by the ad hoc committee established to consider the Nkandla matter.
It is however concerning that Mr Sizani opposed including the consideration of the Public Protector's Secure in Comfort report, and the Special Investigating Unit report on Nkandla, in so many words in the motion which mandates the ad hoc committee.
His verbal undertakings have been recorded in the Hansard and we will ensure that the ad hoc committee is reminded of these.
It is essential that the committee has a broad mandate so that it can thoroughly investigate this major scandal. The DA will continue the fight to make sure this happens.
Statements issued by Mmusi Maimane MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, August 19 2014
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