Khoza eventually gets protection after threats

The National Assembly has finally bowed to pressure and agreed to provide ANC MP Makhosi Khoza with protection.

Khoza has been fighting for months to get protection from parliament after death threats made against her by unknown people.

Recently, her daughter received similar threats, which worried the irate MP, who decided to go public about her situation.

In a statement yesterday, parliament acknowledged that it became aware of threats that Khoza, who is chairperson of parliament’s portfolio committee on public service and administration, received while her committee was conducting oversight outside of parliament.

She reported the matter to ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu, who in turn reported it to Speaker Baleka Mbete.

Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the speaker referred Khoza’s issue to the police. “Saps conducted a security assessment and submitted its report, with recommendations, on Thursday, July 13 for consideration by parliament’s executive authority – the speaker of the National Assembly and the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. The security assessment confirmed that a security threat existed and that appropriate support must be provided to Dr Khoza,” Mothapo said.

He said Khoza would be provided with security as soon as possible and that she would be advised of the arrangements. Mothapo declined to say the type of security to be given to Khoza. “We cannot detail that as we do not want to compromise her security. That belongs to Saps,” Mothapo said.

“Parliament once again condemns the threats against Dr Khoza and further urges the police to leave no stone unturned in apprehending the culprits. Such actions attempt to interfere with the institution’s constitutional function of carrying out its oversight duties,” Mothapo said.

Khoza has been campaigning for parliament to offer her security after she receive several death threats during the SABC public hearings on the state of affairs at the broadcaster.

She is also under threat from her own party for expressing views in favour of a secret ballot against President Jacob Zuma and the need for MPs to vote according to their consciences in the upcoming motion.