JUST IN: Public Protector (PPSA) says it's concerned about undue political pressure & demands for evidence presented to the institution by President Ramaphosa as part of ongoing #PhalaPhala investigation into allegations of a violation of Executive Code of Ethics.@Newzroom405
The PPSA says it views the actions of those exerting pressure on the institution to publish the evidence in question while the investigation is underway as constituting the interference contemplated in the Constitution and calls upon them to desist from such conduct.
JUST IN: An investigation into the incident where EFF MPs were ejected out of the House during a sitting of President Cyril Ramaphosa's Parliamentary reply, has found no evidence of GBV and sexual harassment. - Parliament
NA Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, says she has received a report on an independent investigation by Adv. Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere into allegations of GBV and/or sexual harassment during the removal of members of the EFF by members of the Parliamentary Protection Services.
"The investigation indicates that Members' attitude to the Rules seemed to be a problem. Adv Baloyi-Mere recommended that the Speaker holds a meeting with all the Chief Whips to ensure that all public representatives comply with, and abides by the Rules of Parliament. "
BREAKING: The Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has referred the ATM's motion of removal against President Cyril Ramaphosa, to an independent panel of experts to conduct a preliminary assessment of the proposed removal motion. @Newzroom405
A satement by Parliament reads as follows:
"The ATM submitted a proposed motion to the Speaker on 14 June 2022 requesting the House to initiate an enquiry into the removal of President Cyril Ramaphosa from the Office of the President of the Republic on specific charges.
The Speaker initially declined the Motion as it was not compliant with the applicable Rules of the NA. Following engagements with the Member, as directed by Rule 129B, to ensure compliance of the motion with Rules, an amended version of the motion was subsequently submitted...
#PPInquiry Former SARS official, Ivan Pillay has officially been sworn in as a witness before the Parliamentary hearings against the Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Section 194 Committee starts an hour earlier today.
Adv. Bawa: Would you agree that Mr. Gordhan was the primary target of this report?
Pillay: It's difficult to say. I have always felt there was a bigger issue at play. The capture of SARS that is why so much pressure was brought on us at SARS.
...I never felt I was a personal target.
Adv. Bawa: Five findings against you by the PP. These were adverse findings made against you, irrespective of who was the target of the report?
Neshunzhi: I felt that there was a sense of animosity on the part of the PP -the cause of which I did not know, though it may also be linked to an event that had occurred subsequently.
NEWS: Some of the Political parties (opposition parties) in the National Assembly, DA, EFF, IFP, NFP, ATM, UDM, and ACDP held a meeting in Johannesburg today.
In a statement by the EFF, the "agenda and focus was to consolidate and strengthen opposition parties’ resolve to hold the Executive and President Cyril
Ramaphosa accountable; especially in light of the serious allegations he faces regarding Phala Phala..."
The parties expressed discontent with the manner in which the NA Speaker has thus far handled their demands to hold the President accountable. They agree that the concealment of the President’s responses to the PP on Phala Phala, is unacceptable and must be challenged.
[#PPInquiry] [#PPhearing]
Futana Tebele, a Senior Manager supporting the CEO in the Office of the PPSA, is a new witness currently testifying in the Section 194 Committee that is probing Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office.
Tebele: I cannot comment on reasonableness and lack thereof. In some cases, the matter/investigation would be there for 3 years, and investigators would say they need more time. Deadlines were given under certain contexts.