ANC closes ranks on Nkandla
THE ANC yesterday closed ranks and forced through its choice of senior ANC MP Cedric Frolick as chairman of the multiparty ad hoc committee on the improvements to President Jacob Zuma's private homestead at Nkandla.
At the first meeting of the committee two weeks ago, the opposition worked together to try to widen the official remit of the committee to include relevant documentation in addition to Zuma's answer to public protector Thuli Madonsela's report on the matter.
In this way, they retarded the election of the chairman, but yesterday the ANC was having none of it. ANC deputy chief whip Doris Dlakude immediately proposed Frolick's name. He was seconded by senior ANC MP Mathole Motshekga.
The opposition did not put up a candidate, but any belief that the committee's deliberations would be anything but highly charged was immediately dispelled by the fact that the opposition, very pointedly, did not afford Frolick the courtesy of joining the ANC in supporting or applauding his appointment.
Port Elizabeth resident Frolick is a senior MP, widely regarded as one of the best chairmen in the house. He was originally elected to parliament on the UDM ticket in 1999, but crossed the floor to the ANC without losing his seat when that was still allowed.
The opposition, which stands united on calling Zuma to account for his input on the Nkandla issue, nevertheless fought hard not to let him dodge the issue.
DA MP James Selfe said the extended scope of the committee needed to be reflected in the mandate the National Assembly gave it.
Dlakude gave the ANC's word that no relevant report would be excluded from the committee's remit, saying: "We will not hide anything."
Frolick said that would include the report of the parliamentary joint standing committee on intelligence, that of the cabinet security cluster on Nkandla, Madonsela's report and the Special Investigations Unit's response on the matter, and Zuma's reply.
DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said the ANC's promises (made by ANC chief whip Stone Sizani in the National Assembly) to include all relevant documentation should be included in the official mandate to the committee.
Maimane then raised the issue of subpoenas. It is well known that the opposition wants Zuma to be subpoenaed to give evidence regarding the issue, and that they fully expect the ANC to try to prevent this, as has been stated by EFF leader Julius Malema.
Frolick said subpoenas could only be issued after a process had been followed, including first studying and discussing all documentation, then inviting individuals to appear before the committee, and only, if the committee agrees, to subpoena individuals.
"The word subpoena should not be used lightly," he said.
After the meeting, all parties were relatively satisfied. Motshekga said the ANC would not suppress discussion.
"Opposition members insisted that Zuma had to pay back a portion of the money spent at Nkandla, as determined by the national Treasury, as Madonsela has ordered. - Jan-Jan Joubert
