By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Chairperson of the Section 194 inquiry Richard Dyantyi,has denied the allegations labelled against him by suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane as “shenanigans” to derail the process.
The inquiry is probing Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office.
Over the weekend allegations emerged that three ANC members are under investigation for allegedly soliciting a R600,000 bribe from Mkhwebane to make an inquiry looking into her fitness to hold office “go away”.
Dyantyi says nothing will stop the inquiry from proceeding.
“No amount of shenanigans will deter us from executing the parliamentary work that we have been assigned to do.”
He says the committee remains focused and resolute to conclude the inquiry with the limited resources and time available.
Dyantyi says he won’t dignify Mkhwebane’s allegations against him with any further comment.
Mkhwebane has lodged a complaint with National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, claiming that Dyantyi, African National Congress (ANC) chief whip, Pemmy Majodina, and police committee chairperson, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, have attempted to solicit bribes for a favourable outcome to her impeachment inquiry.
According to a statement from the speaker, Mkhwebane wrote a letter requesting to meet her, confidentially discuss the allegations and get advice on how parliament might proceed with an investigation.
Mapisa-Nqakula said she has advised Mkhwebane to formally file a complaint with the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests regarding her allegations of corruption in the Section 194 Committee investigation into her eligibility to hold office.
Mkhwebane’s impeachment inquiry has been on hold since March, with the clock ticking on finalising proceedings by the end of next month.
The speaker said it is important she remains impartial throughout the process.
“As the allegations concern the conduct of MPs, the appropriate course of action would be for advocate Mkhwebane to file a complaint with the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests through the Office of the Registrar, which is governed by the code of ethical conduct and disclosure of members’ interests for assembly and permanent council members,” reads the statement.
The speaker said she gave Mkhwebane the assurance that, in accordance with the code, all documents, data and evidence held by the registrar must be kept confidential. Additionally, meetings of the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests and subcommittee must be closed to the public until such time as a finding is reached, which, together with the reasons therefore, are made public.
Meanwhile African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the ruling party will take action if allegations of attempted bribery against its members are true.
Speaking to the media following the ANC leadership’s visit to North West on Sunday, Mbalula described the allegations as “ghost”, saying the governing party was not aware of which members were implicated.
If there is any member of the ANC who would have done the things that has been reported, surely there would be action. Heads will roll definitely because we do not play. You go wrong, and we hit you. We hit you hard. The ANC will not hesitate to act,” he said.
Mbalula suggested that the allegations would further harm the reputation of the ANC’s reputation.
“We are concerned about the image of the ANC, which is why we took André de Ruyter to the cleaners. So any member of the ANC who is found on the report as reported, I can assure you it will not take a week, we will be on top of that person.”