The confrontational style among the new generation of members of Parliament has sparked unease with guests appearing before portfolio committees, according to National Assembly Chair of Chairs Cedrick Frolick.
Frolick told Sunday World that his office received a call on Thursday with a complaint about the conduct displayed during Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education and training, where the management of the Eastern Cape-based Ingwe TVET school was probed.
This prompted his office to compile footage of meetings, which have trended on social media because of heated exchanges, to determine if MPs displayed inappropriate behaviour.
“We have to find out why the guests who are invited to Parliament have taken offence. I have heard about how young MPs conducted themselves. We have not received any letters, but we have to do some self-introspection,” he said.
Frolick believes that while it is important for MPs to take their oversight role seriously, it must be done appropriately.
“It is our objective to encourage MPs to be robust; it should be in the spirit of mutual collaboration,” he said.
A viral video of DA MP Karabo Khakhau has been making the rounds on social media this week.
During Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education and training meeting, which took place on Wednesday, Khakhau is seen grilling the college’s deputy principal of innovation and development, Sharon Mtoboli, about her role at the institution.
The deputy principal, who was appointed in 2023, has been unable to make any progress on a number of issues.
Mtoboli confirmed that she has not raised the requisite funds to provide WiFi for students and buy computers at the institution.
“You have zero capacity, or you do not know what you are doing,” Khakhau said.
Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie disclosed that Khakhau had been reported to him by officials from the University of Free State, following an oversight visit at the institution.
“We did have one complaint when we visited the University of the Free State. A complaint I didn’t report to the house chair because I felt it was not warranted,” he said.
Asked about his thoughts concerning Khakhau’s interaction with Ingwe TVET College management, he reiterated the thin line between “disrespectful” and “robust” conduct.
“There’s a saying that goes like this: ‘You don’t have to be loud to be heard.’
“Members must know that raising a voice is not raising the quality of the argument.
“Political parties must play a role in observing the behaviour of their members. As the chair, I will continue to defend and protect both members and our invitees,” he said.
Frolick further mentioned that there were complaints emanating from the recent portfolio committee on sports, arts and culture meeting with Safa president Danny Jordaan.
“We received calls from some of the officials who were at the meeting about how they were treated. They wanted to know the process they need to follow to lay a complaint, but we have not received a letter yet,” he said.
In this meeting, former DA MP, Liam Jacobs, clashed with Jordaan, leading to the Safa president referring to the line of questioning as an interrogation.
Committee chairperson Joe McGluva intervened in the heated exchange, with the Patriotic Alliance’s Marlon Daniels calling Jacobs “rude”, which saw him apologising for his behaviour.
