Former W Cape MECs walk out of Scopa hearing

ANC Western Cape chairman Marius Fransman and one of his former provincial cabinet colleagues have walked out of a Scopa meeting where they had been summonsed to account for more than R10-billion spent on consultants during their time in government between 2003 and 2011.

Calling it a kangaroo court, Fransman, who appeared with former local government MEC Pierre Uys, said the DA was using their appearance to score political points two weeks before the general election.

The DA had hyped the pair’s appearance before the committee, saying they faced arrest if they failed to turn up.

Fransman had served as the Western Cape MEC for housing, transport and public works, as well as health when the ANC governed the province between 2002 and 2009.

Uys had asked for a postponement of the Scopa meeting, saying he and Fransman had not been provided with adequate information to prepare for the hearing.

He said they also wanted to be furnished with questions from the committee in writing before they took an oath at the meeting.

The ANC’s Max Ozinsky said members of Scopa had to be given access to the summonses which were served on Fransman and Uys.

“There’s members [of the committee] who are doing everything they can to embarrass the people appearing here,” he said.

The DA’s Mark Wiley said the committee would pursue legal action against Fransman and Uys.