Didiza backs Parliament's legal advisors in wake of criticism from members of ad hoc committee probing police corruption

CAPE TOWN - National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has come to the defence of Parliament’s legal advisors, who have come under heavy criticism from members of the ad hoc committee investigating police corruption.

Didiza said she’d noted with concern remarks made this week by some MPs during proceedings of the committee investigating allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system.

On Monday, the MK Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) expressed unhappiness with Parliament’s legal advisor assigned to the committee, with members insisting on appointing external counsel to lead the evidence and guide the committee.

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During its last two meetings, the ad hoc committee failed to adopt its terms of reference, with proceedings riddled with disagreements and attacks on Parliament’s legal advisors.

Parties also opposed a proposal by the African National Congress (ANC) to only utilise Parliament’s legal team instead of external counsel to save costs.

They accused the legislature's legal team of not having the capacity to handle the work, with some labelling them incompetent.

But Parliament’s spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, said that Speaker Didiza had full confidence in the team.

"The Speaker of the National Assembly wishes to place on the record her full confidence in Parliament’s legal advisors in response to certain views expressed in the proceedings of the ad hoc committee that is underway."

Mothapo said that Parliament’s legal advisors were not merely administrative staff members of Parliament but were officers of the court guided by the Legal Practice Act and the Legal Practice Council.