Ramaphosa will be asked to answer to Phala Phala scandal

Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has indicated that she will write to President Cyril Ramaphosa to request a time. This is for him to respond to unanswered parliamentary questions about the Phala Phala farmgate scandal.

The chief whips forum failed to agree on how to handle the situation. This is according to information sent to the programme committee on Thursday.

Opposition parties demanded that Ramaphosa answer a question posed by ATM leader Vuyo Zungula.  After he said he has been advised not to answer the matter pending investigations into the break-in and theft on his farm.

The ANC was happy with his response. It stated that if parties weren’t happy with it, they could use a parliamentary mechanism to address the issue.

Mapisa-Nqakula said there was a deadlock-breaking mechanism. This allowed her to consult with ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina and the leader of government business, Deputy President David Mabuza, to decide on the matter.

To conclude this matter and present you with something concrete, she said, “I will be meeting with the chief whip of the majority party along with the leader of government business, to ask for his audience.”

Along with announcing that the meeting would happen by the end of the week. Mapisa-Nqakula also wrote Ramaphosa a letter.

“I’m going to write the president a letter to ask for a time so that we can wrap up and finish this business.

Honorable members, as you are aware, I cannot determine the president’s availability. This is because I do not manage his calendar. Instead, I will write to the president and expect a response from him with a date of his availability, said Mapisa-Nqakula.

While the governing party stated the issues might be addressed at the next planned session. Which will be on 29 September. Certain parties want Ramaphosa to return to Parliament next week. So he responds to the questions.

Additionally, there are conflicting opinions regarding whether he ought to reply again or respond to the follow-up inquiries.

Also read: Ramaphosa refused to answer Phala Phala questionsquestions

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