IFP and DA Public Works Portfolio Committee members have distanced themselves from media reports and political statements that are alleged to have been uttered by the Chairperson of the portfolio committee Meshack Radebe and ANC member George Sithole.

The IFP and DA members of the committee have said that it was unfortunate that these media statements, which are alleged to have been uttered by the Chairperson, totally defeat the purpose and the mission of the resolution that was taken by the committee - that is just to go around KwaZulu-Natal to see which buildings are available and can be optimally utilised for the benefit of the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal. The IFP and DA members said that it was a question of violating rules of parliament to leak such statements (totally ultra vires) without the mandate of the committee.

The IFP and DA members of the committee confronted and questioned the Chairperson about these statements in front of the departmental officials. He denied uttering these statements and said that the media was just distorting and fabricating these stories for their own benefit.

The IFP and DA members have expressed serious concern because this is the third time the Chairperson allegedly released media statements without consulting the committee. As such the IFP and DA members will be writing to the Speaker of KwaZulu-Natal parliament to investigate whether the Chairperson has violated the rules of Parliament.

For further information contact:
Prof NM Khubisa
IFP Study Group Chairperson on Public Works
083 735 7630