ActionSA accepts proposal to chair SCOPA

CAPE TOWN - ActionSA Chairperson Michael Beaumont says the party’s senate has accepted a proposal to chair parliament’s finance watchdog, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA).

He said the party would put forward its parliamentary leader Athol Trollip to be considered as the next SCOPA chairperson when parliamentary committees meet to elect chairpersons.

In a statement, Beaumont said the decision was made following a meeting with the African National Congress (ANC) in June where ActionSA communicated that it would not be joining what it calls a “grand coalition” and would instead play the role of an unofficial opposition.

As is parliamentary tradition, the chairperson of the SCOPA has gone to a member of the opposition.

This is not about to change especially since the ANC has lost its majority.

The last two SCOPA chairpersons were African People’s Convention (APC) leader Themba Godi and Inkatha Freedom Party Member of Parliament (MP) and new Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa.

Beaumont said the nature of the role of the SCOPA chairperson is vital, especially in the context of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

While elections of committee chairpersons have not taken place, parties have been in deep discussions about who should chair which portfolio.

The ANC parliamentary caucus meanwhile said the party, led by the chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli would, “as a matter of urgency”, engage parties participating in the GNU to appoint the chairpersons and whips of the parliamentary oversight committees as approved by the rules committee.

The elections are expected to take place next week Tuesday.