The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament of protecting President Cyril Ramaphosa from accountability regarding the governing party’s recent so-called “lift” on an air force plane to Zimbabwe.
The President was supposed to answer oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) this Thursday. However, instead, he is expected to address a joint sitting on the economic recovery plan following the coronavirus pandemic.
DA leader in the NCOP Cathlene Labushcgne says this move is a clear last-minute attempt by the President to avoid questions on accountability.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula shared a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) jet with an African National Congress (ANC) delegation to Zimbabwe in September.
She was in Zimbabwe to meet with her counterpart while the ANC delegation went to meet with their counterpart, Zanu-PF, following allegations of human rights violations in that country.
Ramaphosa’s ruling on the matter
After considering the matter, President Ramaphosa said Mapisa-Nqakula did not act in the interest of good governance and failed to act within the law when she transported an ANC delegation. He said the Minister will not receive her salary for three months, starting from November 1, 2020.
The ANC said it will pay for the delegates’ expenses.
However, the DA is not pleased.
“Your party’s superficial apology does not absolve you of wrongdoing, nor does your promise to pay back the money. In fact, the apology and payment serve as an admission of guilt,” says the DA in a letter to Ramaphosa.
The ANC in Parliament has rejected the DA’s claims. ANC Chief Pemmy Majodina says it is premature to deal with the matter as it is before the oversight committee and the Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, is also investigating it.
Other opposition parties have weighed in on the matter:
