IFP’s Hlengwa to chair Scopa

THE IFP has taken over the key committee of Parliament after it confirmed one of its members will chair the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa).

Scopa has been traditionally given to the opposition and over the last 14 years, APC leader

Themba Godi has been chairing the committee.

But yesterday the IFP confirmed that its MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa has been nominated to chair Scopa.

“We believe that the offering of this post to the IFP is as a result of our very firm stance and tough position on corruption in holding the executive and all government departments to account,” said the

IFP in a statement.

Hlengwa has been a member of Scopa for the past five years.

The DA had said it wanted the position and had nominated its MP Alf Lees to chair it.

To demonstrate its seriousness for the position, the DA had offered the position of Scopa chair in the Western Cape to the ANC.

The ANC had said early in the week it was talking to opposition parties over the position of Scopa.

The ruling party was this week criticised for appointing people implicated in state capture to chair key committees of Parliament.

Former minister of public service and administration Faith Muthambi will chair the committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional affairs. Former mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane has been nominated to chair the Transport committee.

Supra Mahumapelo, who was North West premier, will head the committee on Tourism.

Bongani Bongo, who served as state security minister, will chair the committee on Home Affairs.