LOBAMBA:Futhie ‘Mamkhize’ Ngcamphalala,the Lubombo Regional Member of Parliament(MP) and Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament Select Committee tasked with investigating the tension between Government and the Luke Commission that resulted to the delay in releasing the R30million bailout,delivered a report calling for contempt of court charges against Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg and Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula.
The report comes after Parliament elected a Select Committee with an intention to investigate and subsequently resolve the tension between the Ministry of Health and the Luke Commission,the Committee was chaired by Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo and the report was tabled by his Deputy Futhie Ngcamphalala on Wednesday afternoon.
But the Committee recommended that,the two(2) Ministers must be given seven(7) days to release the R30million or be charged with contempt of Parliament in terms of the Parliamentary Privileges Act of 1967.
“It is unfortunate and disturbing that the resolution of the House has not been adhered to as per the mandate given to both the Minister of Finance,and the Minister of Health. It evident that such inaction is not only contemptuous of Parliament,but also disrespectful of the House.Instead of laying charges for contempt of Parliament in accordance with the Privileges Act of 1967 for now, we appeal to the honourable House to have this issue resolved in seven days.If there is total disregard of the House resolution,then the Privileges Committee should immediately, after the elapse of the seven days, prefer charges for contempt of Parliament against both Ministers”, said the Lubombo MP when delivering the report.
Cabinet has been delaying or frustrating the release the approved R30million bailout due to the Luke Commission despite the fact that,the money was approved through an Act of Parliament.
Lubombo MP Futhie Mamkhize Ngcamphalala.