Parliament is weighing up the possible implications of today's Cape high court interim order that prohibited the Portfolio Committee on Communications from conducting part of its proceedings in camera.
The high court made the ruling on Tuesday, following an urgent application from the South African National Editors' Forum to have the in-camera meeting prohibited.
The committee had wanted part of its deliberations on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to be held in camera to enable frank discussion with board members and the group Chief Executive Officer Solly Mokoetle.
The committee's reason was that it needed to balance its obligation of effective oversight with the right of persons who may be prejudiced by matters of a private nature.
Rule 152 (1) of Parliament enables in-camera hearings in such an instance
Documents presented to the committee were to be made available to the public and the press. An afternoon briefing session by the SABC to the committee and informal deliberations on the South African Postbank Bill were also to be completely open to the public and press.
Parliament is consulting its legal counsel and is examining whether the interim ruling by the court could have far-reaching consequences for Parliament carrying out its business as the legislative branch of the South African state.
Parliament currently conducts its business in accordance with the rules of Parliament and the Constitution.
For more information, please contact:
Luzuko Jacobs
Tel: 021 403 2124
Source: Parliament of South Africa
Parliament mulls implications of interim Cape high court order
