The multi-party Powers and Privileges Committee has made steady progress towards conclusion of the disciplinary hearing of 20 Members of Parliament from the Economic Freedom Fighters for the incident which happened on 21 August 2014 in the National Assembly. In doing so, the Committee has taken great care to ensure that the hearing is fair to the charged members even though they recused themselves from participating in the process. The Committee has previously highlighted its disappointment at the decision taken by the charged members, but had noted and accepted their right to exercise such a decision.
Their absence, while it has robbed them of the opportunity to influence and make contributions to the final output by the Committee, it has in no way diminished the quality of work done by this Committee. As per the rules of Parliament, the Committee formed a quorum for all its sittings and as such its findings and recommendations are valid.
The Committee listened and considered evidence by five witnesses as led by the initiator Mr Randall Van Voore. Furthermore, the Committee requested two Ministers, Mr David Mahlobo (Minister of State Security) and Dr Siyabonga Cwele (Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services) to give evidence on gaps identified by the Committee. Due to their unavailability because of valid reasons, the Committee accepted affidavits from both Ministers as part of the evidence.
Following the leading of evidence and submission of concluding report by the initiator, the Committee on 3 November 2014 deliberated on the charges as put before the 20 Members of Parliament. The respective members have been informed in writing of the Committees findings.
The findings are as follows:
1. Mr F Shivhambu MP: Guilty on all seven charges put to him.
2. Mr R Ramakatsa MP: Guilty on all seven charges put to him
3. Ms K Litchfield-Tshabalala MP: Guilty on all six of the charges put to her
4. Mr G Gardee MP: Guilty on all five charges put to him
5. Mr M Ndlozi MP: Guilty on all four charges put to him
6. Mr J Malema MP: Guilty on all four charges put to him
7. Ms E Louw MP: Guilty on both charges put to her
8. Ms N Mashabela MP: Guilty on both charges put to her
9. Mr N Matiase MP: Guilty on both charges put to him
10. Ms H Maxon MP: Guilty on both charges put to her
11. Ms M Moonsamy MP: Guilty on both charges put to her
12. Mr A Mngxitama MP: Guilty on both charges put to him
13. Mr B Joseph MP: Guilty on one charge put to him
14. Ms M Khawula MP: Guilty on one charge put to her
15. Ms A Matshobeni MP: Guilty on one charge put to her
16. Mr M Mbatha MP: Guilty on one charge put to him
17. Mr K Morapela MP: Guilty on one charge put to him
18. Ms V Nqweniso MP: Guilty on one charge put to her
19. Ms P Ntobogwana MP: Guilty on one charge put to her
20. Ms P Sonti MP: Guilty on one charge put to her
Process going forward
In the notices of findings that the Committee issued to the charged members, it highlighted that the next step in the process is presentations on mitigation and aggravation of sanctions which can be made verbally or in writing. This engagement will be held on Friday 07 November 2014.
The Committee hopes to complete the inquiry by the end of next week before tabling its recommendations to the National Assembly.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Malatswa Evans Molepo
Tel: 021 403-8438
Cell: 073 297 1914
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
