Speaker orders DA MPL to go

2009-11-17 18:45

Johannesburg - Democratic Alliance MPL Jack Bloom was suspended for five days from the Gauteng Legislature by the Speaker on Tuesday for contempt.

Speaker Lindiwe Maseko found him in contempt for refusing to apologise to the legislature and provincial chief whip Brian Hlongwa on September 15.

She ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort Bloom from the legislature.

As he was escorted out, a female MPL from the opposing benches jeered "bye-bye".

Bloom's request to be allowed to make a statement was denied.

"I have made my decision," said Maseko.

R7.2m house purchase

Bloom's suspension arises from an accusation of corruption he made against Hlongwa - formerly the MEC for health - over his purchase of a R7.2m house using a representative, Richard Payne, who was also the managing director of 3P Consultants.

The consultancy had a R273m contract with the health department until it was cancelled by the current Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, said Bloom.

A report by the privileges and ethics committee found that while Hlongwa had not declared his property ownership to the legislature on time, the purchase of the house was not corrupt.

"The allegations he [Bloom] made were unfounded," said Maseko's political advisor Mzi Khumalo.

"He was in contempt of the house and the Speaker had to make a decision after considering it seriously."

Maseko ordered Bloom to apologise to Hlongwa and the legislature. She also ordered Hlongwa to apologise for the delay in declaring his property. Hlongwa did so on September 15.

ANC backs suspension

Bloom, however, refused to apologise on the basis that the ethics committee report had not been made available to him beforehand.

"My words then, which I repeat today, are that I refuse to apologise for doing my job in asking awkward questions and exposing corruption," Bloom said in a statement.

He said he would soon bring legal action in the South Gauteng High Court to set aside the ethics committee report and its subsequent adoption by the legislature.

"It is unfortunate that the Speaker did not defer her sanction in view of my pending high court action, as it looks like she bowed to pressure from the ANC to punish me," said Bloom.

The ANC Gauteng caucus welcomed the suspension of Bloom and commended Maseko for her "decisive leadership".
 

- SAPA