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National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has defended the Parliamentary Legal Services Unit from criticism by some Members of Parliament (MPs).
The unit was criticised during the draft of the terms of reference of the ad hoc committee established to investigate allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Some of the MPs were not satisfied with the drafting of the terms of reference by the legal unit including the quality of the legal opinion provided.
Parliamentary Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says, “It must be emphasised that our legal advisers are not merely administrative staff members of Parliament but they are officers of the court as well guided by the Legal Practice Act and the Legal Practice Council and their professionalism, competency and integrity have stood the test of constitutional legal scrutiny for many years.”
Mothapo adds, “While members many not always agree with their opinions and members indeed, they are entitled to do so. Disagreements should not translate to personal attacks on their dignity or credibility. To cast aspersions on them is not only unjust to the individual legal adviser is concerned but it also undermines the credibility of Parliament and its oversight processes such as the one currently before the ad hoc committee.”
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