ANC ousts rebel lawmaker from House committee
Friday August 18 2017
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has ejected defiant legislator Makhosi Khoza from her position as chairperson of the parliamentary public service and administration portfolio committee. PHOTO | AFP
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has ejected defiant legislator Makhosi Khoza from her position as chairperson of the parliamentary public service and administration portfolio committee.
The party cited “irretrievable breakdown of trust” between her and members of the ANC in the committee as the reason for her removal.
The decision to oust her came a day after the ruling party said its MPs who had publicly admitted to voting with the opposition in the no-confidence motion against President Jacob Zuma last week would face disciplinary action.
ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu said Thursday that he had received the directive from the party to relieve Ms Khoza from her position.
“The irretrievable breakdown of relations arises from her public utterances preceding the motion of no-confidence vote in President Jacob Zuma and her continued public attacks on ANC leadership and members of her ANC caucus who voted against the motion on August 8, 2017,” he said.
Mr Mthembu said as a result, Ms Khoza had been alienated by ANC lawmakers including those in her committee who were now boycotting meetings.
“The erosion of trust in her as a chairperson has also led to acrimonious verbal exchanges between her and members of the study group in meetings and on social media,” he added.
He said the party had already communicated its decision to Ms Khoza.
“She is released from her position of chairperson with immediate effect. She remains an ANC member of Parliament pending the outcomes of disciplinary action taken against her by the organisation,” the chief whip said.