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Speaker's dual role under fire
21/02/2008 20:31 - (SA)
Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance called on Thursday for Parliament to debate the appropriateness of National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete's dual role as Speaker and chairperson of both the African National Congress and its political committee.
The committee manages relations between the executive, ANC headquarters at Luthuli House, and Parliament.
The DA believes Mbete's elevated political office creates an obvious conflict of interest that makes it almost impossible for her to carry out her functions in an impartial and independent fashion.
In a notice of motion in the Assembly on Thursday, DA Chief Whip Ian Davidson called on the house to debate Mbete's recent appointment as chairperson of both the ANC and the ANC political committee and the effect this would have on her ability to act with the impartiality required of the Speaker of Parliament.
The Speaker's role includes ensuring Parliament fulfilled its constitutional obligation to hold the executive to account.
The chairperson of the ANC's political committee is expected to champion the ANC's political strategy in Parliament at all costs.
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