DA calls for chairpersons of inquiry into recent violence to be from opposition benches

The Democratic Alliance in Parliament says it wants several questions to be answered in the inquiry into the violence and looting that hit KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng recently.

Last week, an attempt to kick-start an inquiry by Parliament itself did not get off the ground due to procedural issues.

The Police Committee was meant to lead the inquiry which would involve peace and security committees from both Houses of Parliament.

But such an inquiry can only be formed by a resolution of both Houses.

“We expect the three ministers of security cluster to be removed if the inquiry finds they misled country re the insurrection. And that redacted in that the reports be made public. Residents in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng deserve to know why lives were pulled apart. Speaker and chair can’t delay any longer to start an inquiry, and the DA suggests [that they] convene chief whips forum to consult all chief whips and not only chief whips of the ANC,” says DA’s MP on State Security Dianne Kohler-Barnard.

DA MP on Parliament’s Justice and Correctional Services Committee, Glynnis Breytenbach, added that the chairpersons of the inquiry must come from the opposition benches.

“An inquiry into the possible serious lapses of security forces can’t be led by the portfolio committee of police and chair. Always a danger of cover-up or any perception of police investigating themselves should be avoided at all cost. Accordingly, we would suggest the chairperson be drawn from opposition benches. We further suggest that the lead be taken by the justice committee” says Breytenbach.

The party held a virtual press conference to communicate their expectations of such an inquiry.

VIDEO: Parliament wants to get to the bottom of the recent unrest: