Calling of witnesses permitted by rules
The Powers and Privileges Committee had resolved to call additional witnesses for the hearing as announced in the ruling during yesterday’s sitting. This ruling was in accordance with item 7 of the Schedule to National Assembly Rules.
It should be stated however that the Committee had previously agreed on advice that the work of drafting and preferring charges to the twenty members of the National Assembly be left for the initiator and hence the calling of witnesses to lead evidence into those charges will rest with the initiator. This has been the understanding of the Committee until the about-turn on Tuesday when certain members made a submission in writing to call for witnesses. The debate was not about the right to call witnesses but about the impact on the integrity and fairness when members who are supposed to rule on the charges get involved in calling witnesses. Another debate was on the evidence that is required from the witnesses and relevance to the charges. After much deliberation on the impact, relevance and gaps that needed to be filled in the evidence led, the committee agreed to call the following persons in relation to the roles they played on the 21 August 2014 during question time for oral reply by the President.
- Minister S Cwele, Minister of Telecommunications;
- Minister D Mahlobo, Minister of State Security;
- Ms D Dlakude, Deputy Chief Whip of the ANC;
- Mr J Steenhuissen, Chief Whip of the Opposition;
- Ms R Mohlomi, Sergeant-At-Arms; and
- Mr R Poliah, ICT - Section Manager
These witnesses are called to give evidence on certain instances where they played a role in engagements during the period just before the suspension of the sitting until the adjournment of the House. The names of these witnesses have been given to the Initiator to make preparations for their appearance.
“I hope that this further evidence will empower members to make informed determinations on the charges against the affected members,” said Mr Lemias Mashile, the Chairperson of the Committee.
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Malatswa Evans Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
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Email: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
