ActionSA and EFF object to election of RISE Mzansi’s Zibi as SCOPA chairperson

CAPE TOWN - ActionSA and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have objected to RISE Mzansi president Songezo Zibi's election as the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA)’s chairperson.

The parties said Zibi's party is technically not in the opposition, as it is part of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

They said the committee should be chaired by an opposition member of Parliament (MP) outside of the GNU.

Zibi was elected as SCOPA chairperson unopposed on Wednesday, but his election didn't sit well with some parties.

EFF MP Ntombovuyo Mente said his election, supported by the African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA), went against normal convention.

"We do not consider your party opposition. We consider it government and therefore, on that basis, we do not agree that you should be the one that's chairing."

Afterwards, ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said the GNU nominated one of its own.

"This is going against a convention that has been respected by the National Assembly as well as considered international best practice by having a member of opposition chairing SCOPA."

Zibi noted the objections, but he did undertake to work with all parties and members of SCOPA.

"First, loyalty is to the mandate of this committee as prescribed in our Constitution and I expect that all of us in this committee will do the same and also work with committee staff accordingly."

He said the committee would meet again next week to start its work in the seventh term.