DA welcomes probe into Nkandla before elections

Johannesburg – Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko welcomed National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu’s reported intention to investigate the Nkandla report before the 7 May elections.

“The DA welcomes the Speaker of the National Assembly’s full consideration and action on the DA’s request for the establishment of an ad hoc committee to investigate the Nkandla scandal,” she said in a statement.

“I requested the establishment of such a committee in terms of section 89 of the Constitution immediately after the release of the public protector’s report on 19 March 2014.

“We have, however, received no official correspondence from Mr Sisulu and we will provide full comment only once the establishment of this inquiry is confirmed. This will also clarify the exact mandate of the committee,” Mazibuko said.

Earlier, Beeld newspaper reported Sisulu had decided to set up a multi-party parliamentary committee to consider Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report about costly security upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s private home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.

Beeld quoted DA chief whip Watty Watson and Freedom Front Plus chief whip Corne Mulder, who both confirmed that Sisulu would appoint an ad hoc committee.

“The Speaker phoned me and told me he planned to set up an ad hoc committee and that he wanted to consult,” said Mulder.

“The Speaker said the ad hoc committee would have to work morning, noon and night up to the elections on May 7 to get the work done in time.