Conflict of interest hits Parliament

THE integrity of the South African Parliament faces a critical test as an urgent appeal has been made for the recusal of three prominent members from an Ad Hoc Committee tasked with investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

- SIPHO JACK and AYANDA MDLULI

KWAZULU-NATAL Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi responds to questions from Members of Parliament during his second day of testimony yesterday.

(HENK KRUGER Independent Newspapers)

This request raises serious concerns over potential conflicts of interest that could undermine the committee's proceedings. In a letter addressed to the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, the chairman of the advocacy group Real Democracy has called for the immediate withdrawal of MPs Julius Malema, Dianne Kohler Barnard, and Ian Cameron from the committee currently scrutinising Mkhwanazi's sworn statement.

In the letter, Srinivasen Naidoo, the chairman of Real Democracy alleges that each of these members faces circumstances that could compromise the integrity of the investigation, potentially damaging public confidence in the Parliament's ability to oversee law enforcement matters.

Recently convicted for misconduct, Malema is awaiting sentencing while under the undeniable scrutiny of ethical governance norms. Although the Constitution stipulates that his disqualification as a Member of Parliament will only take effect post-sentencing, the letter argues that his ongoing participation in deliberations on sensitive law enforcement topics raises grave ethical concerns.