Khoza axing should be no surprise

THE ruling ANC fired outspoken MP Makhosi Khoza as chairperson of Parliament’s public service and administration portfolio committee on Thursday.

In truth, it was something that should surprise no one. Dr Khoza has been vocal in her unequivocal rejection of Jacob Zuma’s continued tenure as president of the country. She never hid this in the run up to last Tuesday’s secret ballot, the eighth no confidence debate in the eighth year of Zuma’s tenure.

This week ANC members boycotted the portfolio committee meeting in protest at her continued presence. On Thursday, ANC chief whip, Jackson Mthembu, announced that his office had been directed to remove her from her position because of the “irretrievable breakdown of relations” between Khoza and her fellow MPs.

Mthembu said there had been numerous attempts to “counsel” Khoza, but to no avail. She will remain an MP pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing into her conduct.

At an organisational level, the party’s decision is entirely understandable. No party in Parliament – given that it is the party which selects and appoints MPs, not constituent voters – can afford rogue members defying the instructions of the party and its whips.

Khoza, though, is no ordinary MP. There are many others like her, though certainly none as vocal. On Thursday, Mthembu warned the ANC composition of the portfolio committee would be reconsidered.

Again this is normal practice, but in the context it looks suspiciously like a witch hunt; the acts of those affronted by a rebellion far more widespread than anyone dared to expect.

There are many other high profile dissident ANC MPs in the firing line – this too will be no surprise after Thursday’s decision. The question is just how far the ANC dare go to re-establish party discipline in the party caucus and the cost that will be exacted in the broader organisation as the clock ticks down to the all important December elective conference.

This is a very high stakes game, the success of which – or failure – we will all know soon.