Note to Editors: Find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by DA North West Chief Whip, Freddy Sonakile.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West will write to the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Sussana Dantjie, requesting her to urgently convene a sitting for the purposes of appointing a new Chairperson of Committees (Chair of Chairs).
Since the former Chair of Chairs, Mmoloki Cwaile, was appointed as MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) in November 2020, no attempt has been made to fill this position.
This delay is allegedly due to ANC infighting brought about by Cwaile’s appointment as MEC. Rumour has it that the Speaker, who is also the Convenor of the North West ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC), forms part of a faction that disagrees with Premier Job Mokgoro’s decision to appoint MEC Cwaile. It is said that the fight for his return as Chair of Chairs is ongoing.
The role of the Chair of Chairs is important to the functioning of the Legislature and cannot be compromised by petty ANC politics. As one of the Presiding Officers, it is responsible for coordinating activities of committees, set guidelines for the arrangement and procedure of public hearings and also determine the format for portfolio committee minutes and reports.
While the ANC continues with its Mickey Mouse games, dragging feet to appoint a new Chair of Chairs is not serving the Legislature and must be condemned.
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rampant abuse of Covid-19 relief funds, the Legislature’s role as an oversight body over organs of state should be intensified. The Chair of Chairs is responsible for the authorisation of oversight inspections and therefore the filling of this position is crucial.
In the event that the Speaker fails to respond to our request within seven days, we will have no alternative but to explore legal avenues to compel the Speaker to meet her constitutional obligations.