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PARLIAMENT has shot down allegations by opposition political parties that it was dragging its feet in investigating President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farmgate scandal.

Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said that National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had always acted swiftly and consistently with the rules and the law when processing correspondence from political parties calling for parliamentary action on the matter.

Mothapo explained that the parliamentary rules required the Speaker to refer the motion and supporting documents to an independent panel of experts.

The independent panel will conduct a preliminary assessment of the motion and evidence before making findings and recommendations to the National Assembly within 30 days on whether there is sufficient evidence that Ramaphosa committed any of the violations alleged in the motion.

The panel’s work will be tabled in the National Assembly for consideration and a decision. | IOL