Political Analyst and Associate Lecturer at Wits University, Thokozani Chilenga-Butao says it is strange that African National Congress (ANC) deputy president, David Mabuza is willing to have his swearing in as a Member of Parliament postponed.
The ANC says the postponement of Mabuza’s swearing in is not linked to whether or not he will be part of the next cabinet.
He requested that his swearing in be postponed until allegations against him have been dealt with by the ANC’s Integrity Commission.
“If you remember last year when he was questioned in Parliament and asked about the allegations of corruption in Mpumalanga, he said if you have a case against me, go to the police. And now it’s interesting that he’s willing to be subjected to that committee and we have to ask who is bringing down that heavy hand,” says Chilenga-Butao.
More reactions
The Freedom Front Plus says Deputy President David Mabuza’s decision to request a postponement in his swearing in as a member of the National Assembly should be made a permanent decision.
FF Plus member of parliament Dr Corne Mulder says both Mabuza and Minister of Environmental Affairs Nomvula Mokonyane should restore the credibility of the institution.
“Yes we welcomed that. But we hope it not a postponement but a permanent decision. It is in the interest of the institution. It is in the interest of democracy that people who are under the suspicion or whatever should not be members of parliament and should not be sworn in. And for that reason we are saying we welcomed it as a first step; but it should not be a postponement but a permanent and we should set as an example to all of the other ANC members should follow so that we can once again restore the integrity of parliament…”
The IFP says it hopes Mabuza is sincere in his decision to call for a postponement to be sworn in as a Member of the National Assembly. IFP MP Narend Sing says his party will wait and see if these latest developments are noble or not.
“I supposed that the action by David Mabuza and the ANC that he will not be sworn in today is something that we will watch and see. It’s their prerogative in any event. But we just hope that it’s a noble decision and the intentions are for the people of the country.”
COPE leader Mosioua Lekota says both Deputy President David Mabuza and Minister of Environmental Affairs Nomvula Mokonyane must face the music despite them requesting not to be sworn in as Members of the National Assembly.
“I think that’s fine because there serious allegations against them. But I think the withdrawal does not mean that people who have committed crimes will now be brought before the court to answer for their actions.”
‘Strengthen the NPA to do a thorough investigation’
The DA says the request by Mabusa for the postponement of his swearing in as the Member of Parliament should not be used as a way to defend him against allegations levelled against him.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane says this applies also to Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane and former Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba who both have since withdrawn their names for the swearing in ceremony.
“It is clear that Deputy President David Mabuza and Nomvula Mokonyane – both have serious cases to answer for. So those allegations cannot be set aside because they are not coming to parliament. I think we must strengthen the National Prosecuting Authority to do a thorough investigation on them so that they must be brought to book. I hope this is not the end of them avoiding the criminal prosecution just like it is the same with Malusi Gigaba and is the same like everybody else.”
