Malatsi wants to be reinstated

2003-03-18 12:15

Cape Town - David Malatsi, currently embroiled in a disciplinary dispute with the New National Party (NNP), will launch an urgent application to the Cape High Court on Tuesday to compel the NNP to instate him as a Member of Parliament.

"Malatsi seeks to interdict the chief whip of the NNP to place him (Malatsi) before the speaker of the national assembly to be sworn in as an MP," said Malatsi's lawyer Richard Dixon.

This was in the light of the fact that there was a vacancy in the national assembly and Malatsi was in effect the number one candidate on the NNP Western Cape list for deployment to parliament.

The vacancy occurred when former MP Pierre Uys took up the reins of deputy mayor in the city of Cape Town.

NNP secretary-general Daryl Swanepoel said when informed of the impending litigation: "I cannot comment on action that may or may not be launched."

According to Swanepoel, Malatsi was still a member of the NNP but his membership was suspended until his disciplinary hearing had run its course.

Malatsi and former NNP leader Peter Marais on Tuesday face a continuation of an internal disciplinary hearing relating to allegations of bringing the name of the party into disrepute.

They also face ancillary charges related to their involvement in the controversial Roodefontein Golf Estate development.

Both Malatsi and Marais are currently out on bail of R10 000 each following their arrest by the Scorpions on charges of corruption relating to the development.

- SAPA