By Simon Nare
The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday announced former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) senior prosecutor Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach as its new parliamentary chief whip, replacing George Michalakis, who was recently appointed parliamentary leader.
In a statement announcing the appointment, Michalakis said Breytenbach, who has served as a DA MP for more than a decade, would now oversee Parliament’s rules and procedures on behalf of the party.
“She will be the custodian of Parliament’s rules and procedures on the part of the DA. She will also, alongside myself, be the party’s chief negotiator within the GNU in Parliament,” he said.
Michalakis said Breytenbach’s long-standing role as the DA’s justice spokesperson underscored the party’s focus on safety and security.
“Furthermore, she has served for her entire tenure in Parliament as the DA’s spokesperson on justice. During 10 of those years, I was her DA counterpart in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). Through this, the DA is sending a clear message that safety and security is a top priority for us in Parliament, in line with the vision of federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis,” he said.
He added that Breytenbach and deputy chief whip Bax Nodada would oversee the DA’s parliamentary caucus, including 13 National Assembly whips, 87 National Assembly members and 12 NCOP members.
Breytenbach also serves as the DA’s chief negotiator in the Government of National Unity in Parliament.
She joined the DA in 2014 shortly after resigning from the NPA following a bitter dispute with senior officials.
Breytenbach maintained at the time that her suspension was politically motivated and aimed at preventing her from pursuing corruption charges against former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli, an ally of former president Jacob Zuma.
In April 2012, Breytenbach was suspended as regional head of the NPA’s specialised commercial crimes unit.
The NPA said the suspension related to her handling of a mining rights dispute case.
