Nkandla: Impeachment decision rests with Speaker, not ANC Chief Whip

The DA is dumbfounded by ANC Chief Whip, Stone Sizani's political manipulation of the facts today where he unsuccessfully tried to argue against the DA's motion to remove President Zuma in terms of Section 89 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. 

It is of equal concern that he dedicated much of his press conference today to attacking Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela's handling of the investigation into the nearly R250 million of public money spent on President Zuma's private home in Nkandla. 

He has no doubt been summoned back to Parliament to assist Luthuli House in implementing their strategy to protect President Zuma at all costs.

This will not work, because the decision to give effect to impeachment proceedings doesn't rest with the ANC Chief Whip, but with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu, who must act impartially and uphold the Constitution.

Indeed, in terms of rule 214(1)(b), the establishment of an ad hoc committee - which would be empowered in terms Section 89 of the Constitution to investigate the President - rests with the Speaker during recess, and he merely needs to ‘consult' the Chief Whip of the majority party.

I suspect Mr Sizani's sudden urge to react to the issue after a full week of silence has perhaps been brought on by the letter released by the Speaker yesterday noting that he is in fact considering the DA request for the motion to initiate impeachment proceedings.

The DA remains resolute in our efforts to ensure all those responsible - including President Zuma - are held to account. 

South Africans deserve nothing less.

Statement issued by Dr Wilmot James MP, DA Parliamentary Caucus Chairperson, March 26 2014

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