The EFF has requested National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to remove Qubudile Dyantyi from his position as chairperson of the parliament ad-hoc committee investigating suspended public protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office in light of allegations of bribery against him.
The red berets said on Wednesday it would be prudent for Dyantyi and co-accused, ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina and MP Tina Joemat-Pettersson, who suddenly passed away on Monday, to take a leave of absence from the National Assembly while the investigation into the allegations that they offered to make Mkhwebane’s probe “go away” in exchange for bribes was ongoing.
The allegations, contained in a criminal case filed by Mkhwebane’s husband David Skosana, also prompted the African Transformation Movement (ATM) to call for Mapisa-Nqakula to act.
“Seeing that this is a precedent case as it is the first inquiry done by parliament to determine the fairness to hold office by a head of a Chapter 9 institution, this process must be fair, free from corruption, and must be beyond reproach,” said ATM leader Vuyolwethu Zungula.
He said MPs must act with selflessness, integrity, and objectivity in carrying out public business, adding that parliament should act quickly and decisively against members who act in contravention of the code of conduct and the constitution.
At the same time, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa proposed that Mapisa-Nqakula facilitate a sitting of the portfolio committee on police to summon the SA Police Service to share with that committee its preliminary findings around WhatsApp messages Skosana had submitted for investigation, to clear up the allegations around Dyantyi and establish whether he had any involvement in the scandal or not.
“It was embarrassing today at the inquiry that other political parties and advocate Mkhwebane herself asked that Dyantyi recuse himself, but he angrily rejected those requests and demanded a written submission to himself, after which he said that he would rule on the matter,” said Holomisa.
He said that would be a flawed process, especially since there were many competent members of the ANC, or any other person for that matter, who could replace Dyantyi.
During the committee sitting on Wednesday, Mkhwebane also indicated that should Dyantyi not voluntarily recuse himself, she would apply to the court for his recusal.
“Should Dyantyi not recuse himself, it is clear that this matter will take a turn in the courts, which will unnecessarily drag out the entire process,” said Holomisa.
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