ANC disappointed in the election of DA speaker

The ANC is very disappointed at the election of the DA's Richard Majola as the replacement speaker of the Western Cape provincial legislature.

The DA has once more passed up on an opportunity to live up to its mantra of fit-for-purpose and again disregarded the many women in that party who is overlooked by the DA's obsession to only appoint men in leadership position in the Western Cape under premier Helen Zille's rule. Zille only appointed men in her provincial cabinet.

Majola, former deputy speaker, is known for challengeable rulings not in pace with the rules and legislation. He replaced the DA's embattled speaker Shahid Esau, who under pressure of the ANC, was removed by the DA and redeployed to the National Assembly.

The ANC has in the past accused Majola of bias and has nominated Mrs Carol Beerwinkel for the position. The DA used its majority to impose Majola on the legislature. Majola's vacant position as deputy speaker was filled by another man.

The ANC will keenly see how Majola shapes in the hot chair and whether he could have been set up to failure.

Statement issued by Pierre Uys, ANC Chief Whip in the legislature, February 22 2012

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