THE ANC in the Bhisho legislature yesterday came to the defence of premier Phumulo Masualle amid allegations that he was “ducking and diving” in answering parliamentary questions.ANC chief whip Mzoleli Mrara yesterday denied allegations by DA leader Athol Trollip that the premier was evading answering questions around money deposited into his personal bank account in the period around Nelson Mandela’s funeral last December.
The Daily Dispatch quoted Trollip as saying parliamentary questions he had posed to Masualle concerning his private involvement in the Mandela matter had been altered.
Trollip charged that his original questions were amended by legislature officials without his knowledge.
“Subsequently the premier responded to those questions as posed and the matter of verifying whether the questions were the original ones or altered is a matter that Trollip should pursue with the legislature,” said Kota.
She added: “The office of the premier would also be interested to know, if the allegation by the DA are true, what would have been the motive behind altering the questions and whose interests would have been served by that.”
Asked who could have been responsible for altering Trollip’s questions and what action would be taken legislature spokesman Velisile Bukula said Kiviet would not comment as she first needed to address the matter within the legislature.
“The speaker said it was not right to respond to this matter in the papers before she did so in the legislature house. She said this complaint was raised in the house and that she will have to deal with it in the house first before talking about it in the media,” said Bukula. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Premier 'did not alter questions'
ANC chief whip Mzoleli Mrara yesterday denied allegations by DA leader Athol Trollip that the premier was evading answering questions around money deposited into his personal bank account in the period around Nelson Mandela’s funeral last December.
The Daily Dispatch quoted Trollip as saying parliamentary questions he had posed to Masualle concerning his private involvement in the Mandela matter had been altered.
Trollip charged that his original questions were amended by legislature officials without his knowledge.
“Subsequently the premier responded to those questions as posed and the matter of verifying whether the questions were the original ones or altered is a matter that Trollip should pursue with the legislature,” said Kota.
She added: “The office of the premier would also be interested to know, if the allegation by the DA are true, what would have been the motive behind altering the questions and whose interests would have been served by that.”
Asked who could have been responsible for altering Trollip’s questions and what action would be taken legislature spokesman Velisile Bukula said Kiviet would not comment as she first needed to address the matter within the legislature.
“The speaker said it was not right to respond to this matter in the papers before she did so in the legislature house. She said this complaint was raised in the house and that she will have to deal with it in the house first before talking about it in the media,” said Bukula. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos