Opposition wants to grill Mbete

OPPOSITION parties are planning to demand that parliamentary Speaker Baleka Mbete be called as a witness in the misconduct and contempt case against EFF leader Julius Malema and his 19 MPs.

The EFF, DA, UDM and IFP are also preparing to call former state security minister Siyabonga Cwele and his successor David Mahlobo as well as parliament's serjeant-at-arms Regina Marumo as further witnesses in the disciplinary hearing against Malema and his MPs.

The parties have threatened to withdraw their participation from the committee if their request is turned down by ANC MPs, who have privately said they will not support any move to haul Mbete before the committee.

Mbete is an ANC heavyweight who is also the party's national chairman.

When opposition parties called for more witnesses to be called to the hearing shortly before lunchtime yesterday, ANC MPs requested a closed meeting to discuss the issue.

After the closed meeting that lasted for almost six hours, ANC MP and committee chairman Lemias Mashile said an agreement to call more witnesses had been reached but did not mention names.

The EFF MPs landed in hot water when they disrupted President Jacob Zuma's oral reply on August 21 when they demanded that he answer Malema's question of when was he going to "pay back the money" related to non-security upgrades at his Nkandla homestead as recommended by public protector Thuli Madonsela.

For two days last week the committee only considered testimony from one witness, National Assembly secretary Masibulele Xaso, but opposition MPs said yesterday that his evidence was simply inadequate and more witnesses should be called.

"There're many instances where he [Xaso] could not comment. He could give us his understanding of the rules but there are other matters that we would like to entertain and interrogate," DA MP Annelie Lotriet said.

The EFF's Modikela Matlhoko also demanded that Mbete be called to the hearing.

"The witness who's the secretary failed to explain ... She [Mbete] must come here and explain this to us."

The opposition MPs want to know why only 20 EFF MPs have been charged for protesting against Zuma in the chamber when the video of August 21 shows all 25 of them taking part in the demonstration.

They also want to probe the role played by Mahlobo and Cwele during that eventful day when the two were seen attempting to negotiate with Malema. - Thabo Mokone