Johnathan Paoli
Former Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa along with 58 Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party members are expected to be sworn in as members of parliament (MPs) on Tuesday.
Kodwa appeared in the Palm Ridge magistrates court, earlier this month, in connection with allegations of receiving R1.68 million in bribes.
Despite speculation concerning his future, Kodwa confirmed his registration as an MP and said he plans to stay on as an ordinary member in the National Assembly (NA).
However, ActionSA’s Athol Trollip has condemned Zizi’s return and said that once one belonged to an organisation whose members are involved in corruption, one had no choice but to defend the guilty.
“We do not want to be involved in a government of national unity that protects people like Zizi Kodwa, and brings them back to Parliament despite very serious charges of corruption against them,” Trollip said.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) similarly cautioned against Kodwa’s return as MP, and said the country should be concerned if MPs charged with corruption return to occupy seats in the house.
OUTA executive director Wayne Duvenage said this should be considered a setback in the fight against corruption.
“It would be a concern for citizens and civil society if people in that situation find themselves into parliament first of all, and into a position of power in government,” he said.
Duvenage said the protection he enjoys from the ANC remained alarming in light of the allegations and trial.
Parliament also confirmed over the weekend that the members of the MK party – country’s third largest party, headed by former Judge President John Hlophe, will be sworn-in as Members of Parliament (MPs) alongside Kodwa.
The MK party boycotted the first sitting of the National Assembly protesting the elections results, which they have alleged were rigged.
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the swearing-in of original nominees from the MK Party list will be presided over by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo or a judge designated by him, and that NA speaker Thoko Didiza will administer the oath to nominated members.
Mothapo said that in accordance with legislation, political parties may supplement or fill any vacancies that may occur on their candidates’ lists prior to the first swearing-in after elections.
He confirmed that parliament received an indication from MK of the supplementation of their candidates’ list by 21 members and that travel and accommodation logistics are being arranged in preparation of the ceremony.
A busy schedule is expected for parliament this week including both houses holding respective Rules Committee meetings on Wednesday, with the NCOP Rules Committee meeting expected to start in the morning, followed by the NA Rules Committee meeting in the afternoon.
The NCOP will convene a hybrid plenary on Thursday, to elect various office bearers including the Permanent Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, the Rotating Deputy Chairperson, the Programming Whip, the House Chairperson for Committees and Oversight, the House Chairperson for Parliamentary Diplomacy, the House Chairperson for Internal Arrangements and Members Support, and several other critical positions.
In addition, the Pan-African Parliament will convene its first of the two annual Plenary Sessions this week in Midrand, with the parliament’s budget being considered one of the most critical items for discussion and consideration.
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