ANC MPs refuse to allow Madonsela to testify

A showdown is looming between Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and the ANC after MPs yesterday rejected calls for her to appear before the ad hoc committee on Nkandla to defend herself against criticism over her Nkandla report. Earlier this week, according to a report in The Mercury, Madonsela said that legally, she should be given a chance to testify before the committee. She hinted that if she was excluded, the matter might go to court because the requirement of any investigation was to talk to everyone linked to the matter. ANC MPs closed ranks in Parliament yesterday and rejected calls by the opposition for Madonsela to brief the committee. ANC MP Nkhensani Kubayi said she would not be party to a meeting where Madonsela would brief the committee. She said Madonsela had aligned herself with the views of an academic on the legality of the ad hoc committee. Kubayi said Professor Pierre de Vos had questioned the validity of the constitution of the committee. Another ANC MP, Thandi Mahambehlala, said there was no need to call the Public Protector. ‘Our mandate as a committee is very clear, we are dealing with a resolution of the House. That is why the two Ministers are here.' The committee’s is to meet today to determine its programme for next week.