Sibonelo Nomvalo, a Member of Parliament from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, is pushing back against witnesses who can’t show up in person for a special parliamentary committee looking into claims of misconduct and interference in the justice system. He says they need solid proof to back up their excuses.
This comes after the committee tried to get subpoenas for forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and North West businessman Brown Mogotsi to testify in Cape Town. The National Assembly Speaker wasn’t keen on issuing them.
Nomvalo told reporters that some of these requests from witnesses are getting out of hand. For example, he pointed out that Mogotsi should provide a police report proving there’s a real security threat against him. “You can’t just act like a spoiled kid,” Nomvalo said. “Next thing you know, they’ll be demanding pizza, bacon, eggs, or even gifts for their girlfriends on Valentine’s Day.”
He stressed that there needs to be official confirmation from trained police about any dangers. Nomvalo also criticized the Speaker for not helping the committee use its powers under the Constitution, which allows Parliament to summon anyone for evidence.
Recently, O’Sullivan pushed back against Nomvalo and the MK Party after the MP said he should come back to South Africa to testify in person. O’Sullivan had offered to do it virtually from London and denied fleeing to avoid the committee.
Nomvalo called O’Sullivan’s attitude disrespectful. “He’s been threatening MPs and witnesses, showing no respect for Parliament,” he said. “We decided to subpoena him because he acts like he’s above it all, like a spoiled brat. He doesn’t get that things are different now with the MK Party involved, he’s not dealing with his old buddies he used to control.”
The committee is chaired by Molapi Soviet Lekganyane and is focused on these serious allegations.