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Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan. (Fake images)
- An investigation into EFF members accused of attacking Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan began on Wednesday after the accused MPs failed to appear the day before.
- The EFF has expressed concern that Parliament’s Power and Privileges Commission is not holding a fair trial against its members.
- The committee is investigating 20 EFF deputies.
Disciplinary action against 20 EFF parliamentarians, accused of attacking Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan during a budget voting speech, proceeded despite the fact that the accused members did not appear before the Powers Committee and Privileges of Parliament.
On Wednesday, the process continued despite the absence of the accused deputies.
EFF deputy Mbuyiseni Ndlozi argued against the hearings and proposed that the matter be heard by a retired judge or higher council.
That proposal was rejected as committee members argued that the procedures so far had been developed in accordance with the law.
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In July last year, 20 EFF MPs stormed the stage as Gordhan delivered his budget speech.
Ndlozi raised several technical points on why the committee was unable to pursue the matter, saying:
“He does not know if the EFF members are in the next room, but he has been speaking with their legal representatives about the date setting, but has not spoken with them. The evidence before us is that I have been speaking with the legal representatives about today. Don’t be unfair. ”
The committee chair, Philly Mapulane, agreed with EFF legal representation.
However, the committee agreed that the proceedings would not be presided over by a retired judge or senior attorney.
Fair trial
In emails sent to Acting Secretary of Parliament Baby Tyawa prior to the meeting, the EFF legal team, led by Kameel Premhid and Angelike Charalambous, raised the issue of a fair trial.
“It is very clear that the decision to hold the hearings has been made, even though, as you acknowledge, the written representations of our clients have not yet been submitted.
“This is a serious irregularity. Also, with respect, it is very clear that you and / or the committee have already made decisions regarding our clients even though the jurisdictional requirements for making such decisions have not yet been met,” he said. Charalambous.
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He added that the committee’s conduct to date illustrated that this matter had been or was being predetermined and that our clients would not enjoy a fair hearing.
“As an aside, we further record that, according to the schedule established in your letter, you and the committee will receive the written representations on November 23 at 12:00. The hearings are scheduled to begin the following day, on November 24. November 10:00 AM This is less than 24 hours later.
“We record that since Parliament has charged 17 EFF deputies with disciplinary proceedings, and that each of our clients has the right to present representations separately and to be considered individually, on their own merits, the time within which they are expects the committee to make a decision on the hearings is insufficient, “Charalambous said.
Towards the end of the first session, the EFF legal team said it intended to imminently challenge aspects of the law and the rules of Parliament.
The hearings will continue on Thursday.
