Where’s the honour, Juju?
Instead of interrogating Johnson thoroughly, Malema and others in the committee lent a sympathetic ear to Johnson.
In the impeachment committee investigating President Cyril Ramaphosa, an exchange occurred between Julius Malema and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the minister in the Presidency. Malema, who is known for his outspoken nature, addressed Ntshavheni by her first name instead of the customary "honourable member." This action was deemed inappropriate by Chair Makashule Gana, who should have corrected Malema's behavior given his understanding of the significance of using the term "honourable member."
The use of the term "honourable member" is intended to maintain focus on the issues at hand and ensure fair representation of all members, regardless of personal opinions. The episode highlights a trend in parliament where debates can easily devolve into personal attacks or excessive praise, rather than the intended scrutiny of government officials.
Malema, who has previously praised Idac's head Andrea Johnson using a comparison to Winnie Mandela, has since apologized for his lack of judgment. However, this incident raises questions about the overall conduct of parliament and whether it is living up to its purpose of representing citizens and conducting thorough investigations.
While some committees work diligently, the actions of individual members can overshadow their efforts and damage the reputation of the institution.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
