Parliament notes with concern the false report in a weekend newspaper that the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Lechesa Tsenoli, has issued political instructions to the Parliamentary Communication Services (Sunday Times 02 Nov 14 “Deputy Speaker wants ‘better spin’ to counter EFF”).
The report relies on nameless “Parliamentary communicators” to back-up its claim - despite detailed discussion between the reporter and Deputy Speaker regarding the matter and written reply from the Acting Divisional Manager for Parliamentary Communication Services (PCS) to an inquiry about the nature of meetings between PCS and the Deputy Speaker.
Only two lines at the end of the article provide for a modicum of balance and fairness in a story which particularly critical of Parliament’s leadership.
Another worrying aspect of the report, where reference is made in the headline to an alleged intention on the part of the Deputy Speaker to ‘counter the Economic Freedom Fighters’ by using institutional resources, is a direct attack on the integrity of the leadership of the institution.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is the third largest party in Parliament.
To accuse a Presiding Officer of being party to and/or directing machinations against some parties in Parliament is serious. This question was never put to the Deputy Speaker and the allegation is false.
As was indicated in Parliament’s response, it is not unusual for the Presiding Officers to meet with components of the Parliamentary service. To date, various meetings have been held with the various components in the administration. Meetings with all staff as well as with the full Management Team of Parliament have also been held.
There were no political instructions issued at these meetings nor were there discussions about political parties
The meetings with the Deputy Speaker are related to the fifth Parliament, established in May this year, currently drawing up a five-year strategic plan for the institution. Parliament is legally required to develop and table such a plan to the two Houses of Parliament.
The strategic plan for the fifth democratic Parliament is being developed through a fully inclusive process with all political parties represented in Parliament. It is also being developed with the administration, which will implement the plan. The purpose of the administration is to provide a professional, non-partisan service to Members of Parliament, including the Presiding Officers, who lead Parliament.
The specific work of the PCS is to communicate the business of Parliament, including its Presiding Officers, in a professional and effective manner so that the public is kept aware of Parliament’s work and is able to participate in that work. There is no attempt to involve officials of the administration in party-political politics or to turn the administration into a propaganda machine.
