Parliament, Wednesday, 20 July 2022 - The National Assembly (NA) Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has advised the Section 194 Enquiry Committee Chairperson, Mr Qubudile Dyantyi, to seek legal opinion on the alleged possible conflict of interest by the participation of Mr KJ Mileham in the Committee. Mr Mileham is a spouse to Ms Natasha Mazzone, a complainant in the matter.

The Speaker's decision follows a letter by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Chief Whip, Mr Floyd Shivambu, in which he requested the Speaker's intervention on two matters:

  • a possible conflict of interest by a member of the Section 194 Enquiry Committee,
  • And the removal of Mr QR Dyantyi as Chairperson of the Section 194 Enquiry on allegations of abuse of power and unreasonable treatment of Ms Mantoa Maotwe by the Chairperson.

The Speaker wrote to the Chairperson to ensure that the Committee requests the Parliamentary Legal Services to provide a legal opinion on the possible conflict of interest by the involvement of Mr KJ Mileham in the proceedings of the Committee as envisaged in Rule 165 or any applicable law.

On the matter requesting the removal of the Chairperson, the Speaker informed Mr Shivambu that she is not authorised to remove a Chairperson as the Committee elects its Chairperson. The Speaker understood the intervention by the Chairperson in Ms Maotwe's matter to be an effort to ensure the meeting was not diverted from the task at the time.

The Speaker urged the Section 194 Enquiry Committee members to play their part to ensure that the Committee carries out its responsibility efficiently as its task and the integrity of its proceedings are very important.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Media Enquiries – Moloto Mothapo