Parliament’s legal opinion confirms Zondo Commission report must be processed; contradicting Mapisa-Nqakula
15 November 2022
Note to editors: Please find attached a soundbite by Siviwe Gwarube MP.
A legal opinion which was sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, almost two months ago confirms that Parliament is empowered to and should begin the work of processing the Zondo Commission report. This is a massive departure from the Speaker’s argument that Parliament should wait until the President tables his implementation plan before beginning the work of holding those who have damning findings against them accountable.
Mapisa-Nqakula has been stalling this process in the National Assembly Programming Committee (NAPC) while sitting on a legal opinion drafted by Parliament’s own legal services for several weeks.
Two weeks ago, I wrote to the Speaker to make the argument that she should make this legal opinion public and Parliament should not delay in processing these reports. (See letter here).