Khoza becomes casualty of ‘witchhunt’ campaign
Opposition lash out at removal
Opposition parties have criticised the ANC for removing outspoken MP Makhosi Khoza as chairwoman of parliament’s portfolio committee on public service and administration.
Khoza‚ who has clashed with party leadership and criticised President Jacob Zuma‚ faced an open revolt in parliament on Wednesday from party members.
And yesterday‚ the ANC fired her from her role as committee chairwoman‚ citing as the reason a breakdown of trust between her and the party. She will‚ however‚ remain a member of parliament.
ANC national communications manager Khusela Sangoni said Khoza’s removal was based on reports of “an acrimonious relationship that has developed between her and members of that committee, and this is both before and in the period leading up to the motion of no confidence” in Zuma.
Regina Lesoma‚ the ANC whip in the public service portfolio committee who is one of the five MPs who wrote to ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu to express their loss of confidence in Khoza‚ will act as interim chair.
Khoza‚ along with MPs Mathole Motshekga‚ Pravin Gordhan‚ Mondli Gungubele and Derek Hanekom‚ were among those who had previously said they would vote according to their conscience in last week’s vote of no confidence against Zuma.
Zuma survived the vote but close to 30 ANC MPs are believed to have voted for his removal as president.
“The SG [Gwede Mantashe] together with the officials were exercising their powers and then took a decision that she must no longer be the chairperson of that committee [but] she will continue being part of the ANC caucus as an MP,” said Sangoni.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said her removal was a sign of ANC imploding.
“The ANC talked about disciplining Khoza before the vote of no confidence which goes to show that her case was not fairly handled. They can remove her but they are forgetting that her stance was supported by more than 20 ANC MP’s who voted against Zuma in the recent motion.”
DA chief whip in parliament John Steenhuisen said Khoza’s removal was fuelled by the ANC’s continued infighting and that the decision would have a huge impact in the running of parliament.
“Khoza’s removal shows that the ANC will do anything in its power to remove those that hold the executive accountable. Khoza did her job exceptionally well.
“It’s a shame that the ANC continues to protect incompetent MPs like Faith Muthambi‚ Bathabile Dlamini‚ Mduduzi Manana and Mosebenzi Zwane.” he said.
EFF leader Julius Malema tweeted: “The coward Gwede Mantashe removed Makhosi Khoza as the chair of the portfolio committeee. The pig eating its own children‚ finish and klaar.” Khoza was unavailable for comment yesterday.
Khoza’s daughter‚ Zama Khoza, posted on Facebook shortly after her mother was removed: “So if you hit women the ANC doesn’t remove you‚ but if you speak out about corruption you get removed. The ANC needs serious therapy.