Questions raised about step-aside rule as Gigaba insists he’ll continue with parliamentary duties

ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Malusi Gigaba says he will not step aside from his role as the chairperson of parliament’s joint standing committee on defence (JSCD). This comes after the EFF’s Carl Niehaus expressed concern with Gigaba’s participation in the portfolio committee meetings while he faces corruption charges in theJohannesburg High Court. “I would like to raise serious concerns about him continuing to participate as chair in this meeting and in future meetings of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

“I think that we are all aware that the honourable Gigaba had, in his own party the African National Congress, to step aside from all political activities. “The question arises if his party had felt that he should step aside from all political activity, regardless of what one thinks of the issue of step aside, is it not more relevant and more important that in this position in parliament that the honourable Gigaba should not continue under the circumstances to chair the Joint Standing Committee on Defence as a co-chair, and he is of course here as a member of the ANC. This is a fundamental conflict of interest, chair,” he said.

Niehaus said the joint standing committee has to oversee matters involving theGupta family’s involvement incorruptionat Denel, the state’s arms manufacturing company. Gigaba has been accused of acting as an agent of state capture on behalf of the controversial family. Following this incident, Gigaba toldThe Citizenthat he will not step aside from his parliamentary duties despite the concerns raised by Niehaus.

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“The step-aside process is an internal ANC matter and does not override parliamentary rules or constitutional processes. I have stepped aside from political activities in line with internal ANC processes. “The Joint Standing Committee on Defence is governed by the rules of parliament and the decisions of the house. “If any member believes there is a procedural concern, there are established parliamentary mechanisms through which such matters can be raised with the presiding officers,” he said.

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