Today the IFP, together with all other opposition parties, took a firm stance in defence of the sanctity of the Constitution in general and the office of the Public Protector in particular.
The withdrawal was motivated by the ANC’s stubborn refusal to entertain any legal opinion on the binding effect of the constitutionally enshrined powers of the Public Protector to prescribe remedial action, as well as their refusal to entertain the summons of any person to appear before the Committee.
The IFP, already in the Fourth Parliament, had indicated that it had wanted authors of the reports, as well as the President himself, to be invited to answer questions and provide clarity on certain issues relating to Nkandla.
“Today marks a red letter day for our democracy. We cannot, and will not, support any efforts that will undermine the Constitution or any of our Chapter 9 institutions; and this has led us, as well as other opposition parties, to withdraw from the ad hoc Committee on Nkandla” said IFP Chief Whip, Mr Narend Singh MP.
“The IFP will continue to hold the Executive accountable, which can only be on an informed basis, which was not the case in this ad hoc committee, as important information was outstanding. We now await the decision of the courts for legal certainty on the role and powers of the Public Protector” said Singh MP.
