THERE IS ONLY ONE PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS ON NKANDLA SECURITY UPGRADES

3 October 2014

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip notes this afternoon's ranting session by a group of disgruntled opposition parties who walked out of the Ad Hoc Committee set up to consider the President's response to reports on his Nkandla private residence. We further note their announcement that they will table a so-called "opposition report" on the matter before the National Assembly.

We wish to reiterate that there is an official ad hoc committee process, which is legitimately constituted and is operating under the rules and the law, that is seized with the matter and will duly report to the House by the stipulated deadline. Any informal processes outside of this official parliamentary process has no standing and cannot be taken seriously. We therefore view the parties' process this afternoon as nothing but a venting session whose outcome merely constitute an opinion rather than a formal alternative report of the ad hoc committee.

The opposition irresponsibly ran away from their constitutional duties in the ad hoc committee where they had a valuable opportunity to debate and persuade everyone regarding their views. They were neither expelled nor pushed out.

They still have an opportunity to redeem themselves by returning to the committee to engage instead of howling from the street and producing fake reports.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, October 3 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter