-
Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza speaking at an event.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has denied protecting North West businessman, Brown Mogotsi and forensic investigator, Paul O’Sullivan. This, after the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema accused Didiza of political protection over her refusal to subpoena the two men.
Mogotsi and O’Sullivan were called to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.
The two have refused to appear before Parliament, citing safety concerns. Speaking to SABC News, Didiza says she advised the committee to exhaust all their options to address the concerns raised by the two witnesses before resorting to the subpoena.
“The subpoena would act as the last resort when the witnesses have refused. In this instance, the two witnesses did not refuse to appear at parliament. They applied to the committee to be allowed to testify virtually, particularly Mr. O’Sullivan. So, as the speaker, I had to apply my mind, reflect whether or not the committee has exhausted all the options and provided assurance to the witnesses that their concerns have been addressed, it’s only then that the speaker can support the committee’s move to the next step,” says Didiza.
Video| Witnesses did not refuse to appear before Parliament: Thoko Didiza
