Speaker not among EFF witnesses

The additional witnesses were agreed to after the Economic Freedom Fighters, the DA, the UDM and IFP objected to not being able to call witnesses, but opposition parties attempts to get Speaker Baleka Mbete to testify failed (see report below). 'The debate was not about the right to call witnesses but about the impact on the integrity and fairness when members who are supposed to rule on the charges get involved in calling witnesses,' committee chairperson Lemias Mashile said. 'After much deliberation on the impact, relevance and gaps that needed to be filled in the evidence led, the committee agreed to call the following persons...' The additional witnesses are Telecommunications Minister Siyabonga Cwele, State Security Minister David Mahlobo, Deputy ANC chief whip Doris Dlakude, DA deputy chief whip John Steenhuisen, National Assembly sergeant-at-arms Regina Mohlomi, and an ICT section manager. 'These witnesses are called to give evidence on certain instances where they played a role in engagements during the period just before the suspension of the sitting until the adjournment of the House,' said Mashile. Full report on the News24 site

Opposition parties accuse the ANC of using its majority to keep the Speaker from the witness stand, Beeld reports. Abner Matlhoko (EFF) and Annelie Lotriet (DA) said ANC members of the committee had dug in their heels against opposition demands for Mbete to testify as well. Mashile denied this. Matlhoko was upset that Mashile had issued a statement creating the impression that all the parties were satisfied about the additional witnesses 'as if we didn't ask for the Speaker'. 'Nobody is above the law. Even Mandela had to appear in court in the case of Louis Luyt. Now the ANC is using its majority to protect the Speaker.' Lotriet, who proposed Mbete as witness, said they had offered alternatives, such as in camera testimony for Mbete, but the ANC had refused this. Full Beeld report (subscription needed)