ANC, DA bump heads over what happened before deputy PP interviews

CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) bumped heads in Parliament’s Justice Committee on Wednesday over exactly what transpired before it interviewed seven candidates wanting to be the next Deputy PublicPprotector.

The DA has strongly objected to the ANC’s version of events that led to the process going ahead, despite concerns over a conflict of interest involving Economic Freedom Fighters member of Parliament (MP) Busisiwe Mkhwebane and two of the candidates.

But it was Mkhwebane who had the last word calling ANC MPs “puppets”.

After calling off deliberations on the interviews on Tuesday, on Wednesday ANC and DA MPs squabbled over the details of how the process unfolded and how it should be reflected in their report to the national assembly.

The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach, who first raised the objection to Mkhwebane’s participation in the interviews, said it was the ANC who insisted they continue.

"The majority of the members of the committee argued that there were insufficient grounds to request honourable Mkhwebane’s recusal. They disagreed with the argument that was offered by the DA."

Meanwhile, Mkhwebane who did not contribute to the report lashed out at MPs still on the virtual platform after the meeting had adjourned - saying she had been trying to raise her objection.

"I’ll make sure you account. You are scheming with the white people and you are their puppets."

The committee has recommended the recruitment process start afresh and that Parliament adopts rules that will in the future force an MP to recuse themself if there’s a reasonable apprehension of bias towards a candidate.