National Assembly speaker approves request to summon Madonsela to testify in parliament

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has approved a request to summon former public protector Thuli Madonsela and another witness to appear before the section 194 inquiry which is investigating her successor Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office.

“Yesterday I received a request to support a summoning of some of the witnesses to appear before the Dyantyi panel,” announced Mapisa-Nqacula on Thursday.

“We have since signed and concurred with that and hopefully the panel will be able to receive representations from those witnesses,” she said.

Earlier this week, the committee considered a request from Mkhwebane to subpoena five witnesses who won’t testify voluntarily.

But the committee only agreed to submit two applications to the Speaker for consideration.

Traditionally Parliament views a subpoena as a last resort to get someone to appear before one of its committees.

Mkhwebane’s legal team believes Madonsela can provide information about investigations that were started before Mkhwebane took over, and about case backlogs.

ANC MP Richard Dyantyi chairs the inquiry.

The committee for the inquiry announced on Tuesday that it had resolved to accede to Mkhwebane’s request and summon Madonsela to testify.

Dyantyi said the committee agreed that Madonsela could add value to the process, as she handled some of the investigations that constitute the subject matter of the motion before the committee.

It further agreed to the request to have Bianca Mvuyana, an investigator in the office of the public protector, summoned to testify.

Mkhwebane announced in November that she will call Madonsela to give evidence in her impeachment inquiry.

The Committee declined to request subpoenas for the appearance of deputy public protector Kholeka Gcaleka, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament Natasha Mazzone.

It will be the first time that witnesses will be summoned to appear before the inquiry.

Source: Sowetan Live, Eyewitness News, Times Live, image from Twitter: @StarFMNews919

Doctor Mahlaule

Doctor Mahlaule previously worked as a Freelance Journalist at Find-it SA where he was responsible for writing news articles and sharing them on social media platforms. Doctor Mahlaule holds a Diploma in Journalism, BA in Communication Science and a BA Honours in Media Studies. Doctor began his journey as a knowledge Management and Communications Intern at Zenex Foundation. He was responsible for support in event management, social media, website maintenance, writing and brand management. On weekends Doctor attends prison ministry and shares the scriptures with inmates at Krugersdorp prison and plays soccer in the afternoon on some weekends. He has a passion for reading and writing and enjoys going out with friends and socialising in his spare time. He has a one-year-old son and is planning on getting married soon. When asked about what keeps him going, he said: “My family keeps me going. I’m the man I am because I come from a loving home. I have a very supportive family who always encourages me to keep pushing hard.”

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