Speaker is keeping state capture report under lock and key: ANC
The ANC in Parliament says Speaker Baleka Mbete has not returned the final report given to her by outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, detailing her investigations into allegations of state capture by the wealthy Gupta family.
The ANC says Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu has had a discussion with Mbete this morning, following the news that she returned the report.
"The Speaker has categorically distanced herself from the grossly inaccurate statement issued by the Parliamentary Communications Services as its contents neither represent her view nor her instruction to the staff of parliament on the matter," the ANC said.
According to the ruling party, Mbete confirmed that the report, as requested, is currently being kept under lock and key in Parliament and will be handed over to the new Public Protector, Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane, when she assumes office on Monday.
"The Speaker's handling of the matter in this regard is appropriate and is accordingly fully supported and appreciated by us. We are disappointed by the inaccurate statement by an official in the Parliamentary Communications Services, which created an erroneous notion in the media that the Speaker has out-rightly declined to take custody of the report."