Suspended uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Member of Parliament (MP) David Skosana is refusing to wait quietly for his return to Parliament, launching an internal challenge and attempting to remain involved in committee work even as the sanction keeps him outside the institution until August 21.
Skosana said he applied for permission to attend Thursday’s sitting of the ad hoc committee examining allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, but the Speaker rejected his request.
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He claims the suspension letter informed him that he could write to the Speaker if he wanted to participate in parliamentary activities during the suspension period.
Skosana said he followed that process because he wanted to continue serving on the committee, but was eventually told he could not attend.
“On their own letter, they said to me I can write a letter if I want to participate or I want to go to Parliament,” he said.
“Yesterday I wrote a letter to the Speaker. After writing that letter, then they responded to say, no, I can’t.”
His account, including the wording of the suspension letter and the reason for the Speaker’s alleged refusal, could not immediately be independently verified.
Skosana said he initially received no response to his application and had to follow up with an adviser before Parliament communicated its decision in writing.
Internal appeal
The refusal means Skosana cannot participate in the Mkhwanazi committee while his suspension remains in force, but it has not ended his challenge to Parliament’s sanction or its application of the participation process.
He said he would pursue an internal appeal even if the matter became academic because his suspension could expire before the appeal was decided.
“I’m challenging it. It’s never too late,” Skosana said.
“Though it’s academic at the end, but, you know, for future purposes, I’m already suspended.”
His decision shifts the dispute beyond whether he can return before August 21. Skosana wants Parliament’s finding and its handling of his request tested even after the immediate punishment has run its course.
The appeal could therefore determine whether Parliament applied its own process consistently and whether suspended MPs have a meaningful opportunity to seek permission to perform limited duties.
Skosana said the suspension had also affected the MK Party’s representation in the Mkhwanazi committee.
According to him, the party had two full members and one alternate. The alternate could take his place as a full member during his absence, but that would leave the party without an additional substitute.
“If I’m not there, the alternate fills in as a full member,” he said. “But it means now there’s no alternate. It’s two full members.”
Skosana says his contribution cannot simply be replaced
Skosana argued that his contribution could not simply be replaced because members brought different approaches to committee questioning and deliberations.
He said he would continue carrying out MK Party work outside Parliament during the suspension.
“The only thing is that I won’t go there, but I do other things for the party,” he said.
The suspension has therefore removed Skosana from Parliament, but it has not stopped his political activity or his attempt to overturn the sanction.
His return is less than three weeks away. His challenge, however, is aimed at ensuring that the suspension does not become Parliament’s final word.
- Suspended MK Party MP David Skosana applied to attend a parliamentary committee sitting but was denied permission by the Speaker.
- Skosana's suspension letter stated he could write to the Speaker to participate in activities, which he did, but was still refused.
- Skosana plans to appeal the suspension and the refusal to allow his participation, even if the appeal becomes academic.
- The suspension has impacted MK Party’s committee representation, leaving no alternate member to substitute during his absence.
- Despite being barred from Parliament, Skosana continues his party work outside the institution and aims to challenge the suspension’s finality.
