National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has said her office will not intervene in the internal processes of the Section 89 Impeachment Committee. Her comments follow concerns raised by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula about the proposed appointment of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as the committee’s evidence leader.
Mbalula informed Didiza that Madonsela had previously been briefed to provide legal advice to the ANC on matters concerning the impeachment rules and related processes. The disclosure came after the committee recommended Madonsela to assist it in its work.
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said Mbalula’s communication should not be regarded as an objection to the committee’s recommendation. He said the issues raised fall within the committee’s own deliberations and decision-making processes.
Thoko Didiza Refers Section 89 Matter Back To Committee
Thoko Didiza has referred the communication from Mbalula to the chairperson of the Section 89 Impeachment Committee. The committee will now consider the matter through its established internal processes.
Mothapo said the Speaker’s office would not make a determination on an issue that falls within the committee’s mandate. The committee had already decided to select an evidence leader to provide assistance during its work.
“The matters raised relate directly to the deliberations and decisions of the committee and therefore properly fall within the committee’s processes. Accordingly, the speaker has referred the communication to the chairperson of the committee for consideration by the committee.”
Section 89 Committee To Decide On Evidence Leader
The Section 89 Impeachment Committee remains responsible for deciding who should serve as its evidence leader. The disclosure concerning Madonsela’s previous work for the ANC will therefore be considered by the committee as part of its deliberations.
Mothapo said the committee had determined that the selection of an evidence leader should be handled through its own processes. The parliamentary administration will only become involved once the committee has completed its decision-making.
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“The committee had determined that it would, through its own processes, select an evidence leader to assist it in its work.”
Parliament To Facilitate Appointment After Committee Decision
The Section 89 committee will have to conclude its consideration of the evidence leader before Parliament’s administrative processes can begin. Mothapo said the administration would facilitate the necessary steps once the committee had reached a decision.
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“Once the committee has concluded its decision-making process, the parliamentary administration will facilitate the necessary procurement and administrative processes.”
The development comes as the committee continues its work on the Section 89 impeachment process, with the issue of the evidence leader now set to be considered within the committee itself.
