Major fireworks are expected in parliament today when the party-political disagreements on both the presidential homestead at Nkandla, and separately, the loud behaviour of the EFF during presidential question time will be debated in the House.
All indications are that the simmering tensions between the ANC and those parties which provide strong opposition to it might explode today during the two debates, and that whichever senior ANC MP takes the chair will struggle to keep control of a National Assembly where enmity has reached new levels.
Yesterday, seven opposition parties used strong language to voice their united opposition to the way the ANC majority in parliament had handled the Nkandla matter, especially the way the findings of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela were, in the opinion of the opposition, being swept off the table and treated as mere recommendations.
They are also incensed at the way the ANC used its majority to stop the committee from calling witnesses to speak for themselves – especially the way in which Madonsela and President Jacob Zuma were not called to speak for themselves.
At a press conference yesterday, the DA, EFF, ACDP, UDM, FF Plus, COPE and Agang pledged to stand together against the ANC on the Nkandla issue, and to take it to the highest court in the land if needed to combat what they see as undermining the constitution to protect the president.
Yesterday, DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said the R246-million spent on Zuma’s home at Nkandla was “obscene”.
But things could get completely out of hand when the Powers and Privileges finding on the EFF is discussed directly afterwards – if the debate happens.
Although the debate was still on the parliamentary programme last night, the EFF was preparing to go to court to stop it from happening.
EFF MP Godrich Gardee confirmed last night that the EFF would be approaching the Cape High Court today for an interdict against the debate, on the grounds that the proceedings of the committee was unprocedural.
In another development, meeting behind closed doors yesterday, parliament’s joint committee on ethics and members’ interests cleared National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete of any breach of the parliamentary code of conduct regarding her acquisition of shares in Gold Fields.
According to joint chairpersons of the ethics committee, ANC MPs Amos Masondo and Aumsen Singh, the committee took the resolution while it was considering a complaint submitted by UDM leader Bantu Holomisa. In his complaint, Holomisa requested that the committee consider allegations that Mbete may have improperly acquired shares in Gold Fields.
Holomisa further requested clarity on whether Mbete received two salaries.
In determining if the acquisition of shares was improper, the committee pointed out that the code of conduct specifically applied to Members of Parliament. Mbete was not an MP at the time (in 2010) when she acquired the shares in question.
The committee also confirmed that Mbete disclosed her financial interests in Rich Cove Investment as required in terms of the joint rules of parliament.
On the matter of receiving two salaries, the committee was satisfied that Mbete confirmed in writing that she received one salary.
EFF to challenge parly debate in court
All indications are that the simmering tensions between the ANC and those parties which provide strong opposition to it might explode today during the two debates, and that whichever senior ANC MP takes the chair will struggle to keep control of a National Assembly where enmity has reached new levels.
Yesterday, seven opposition parties used strong language to voice their united opposition to the way the ANC majority in parliament had handled the Nkandla matter, especially the way the findings of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela were, in the opinion of the opposition, being swept off the table and treated as mere recommendations.
They are also incensed at the way the ANC used its majority to stop the committee from calling witnesses to speak for themselves – especially the way in which Madonsela and President Jacob Zuma were not called to speak for themselves.
At a press conference yesterday, the DA, EFF, ACDP, UDM, FF Plus, COPE and Agang pledged to stand together against the ANC on the Nkandla issue, and to take it to the highest court in the land if needed to combat what they see as undermining the constitution to protect the president.
Yesterday, DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said the R246-million spent on Zuma’s home at Nkandla was “obscene”.
But things could get completely out of hand when the Powers and Privileges finding on the EFF is discussed directly afterwards – if the debate happens.
Although the debate was still on the parliamentary programme last night, the EFF was preparing to go to court to stop it from happening.
EFF MP Godrich Gardee confirmed last night that the EFF would be approaching the Cape High Court today for an interdict against the debate, on the grounds that the proceedings of the committee was unprocedural.
In another development, meeting behind closed doors yesterday, parliament’s joint committee on ethics and members’ interests cleared National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete of any breach of the parliamentary code of conduct regarding her acquisition of shares in Gold Fields.
According to joint chairpersons of the ethics committee, ANC MPs Amos Masondo and Aumsen Singh, the committee took the resolution while it was considering a complaint submitted by UDM leader Bantu Holomisa. In his complaint, Holomisa requested that the committee consider allegations that Mbete may have improperly acquired shares in Gold Fields.
Holomisa further requested clarity on whether Mbete received two salaries.
In determining if the acquisition of shares was improper, the committee pointed out that the code of conduct specifically applied to Members of Parliament. Mbete was not an MP at the time (in 2010) when she acquired the shares in question.
The committee also confirmed that Mbete disclosed her financial interests in Rich Cove Investment as required in terms of the joint rules of parliament.
On the matter of receiving two salaries, the committee was satisfied that Mbete confirmed in writing that she received one salary.
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