Pillay Commission: MPLs demand final report

The Bhisho Legislature has instructed the ad hoc committee into the Pillay Commission report to “reconvene as a matter of urgency” to finalise its report and submit it to the Legislature.

The Legislature, meeting in Graaff-Reinet, unanimously adopted a motion introduced by DA leader Athol Trollip that all called for “specific timelines to be established with regard to this report” so that it can be debated before the end of this year.

Introducing the motion, Trollip noted that the Legislature had voted R10 million for the commission headed by Judge Ronnie Pillay and that it was only after MPLs instructed the former premier Nosimo Balindlela to do so that released the report.

Initially the report of the ad hoc committee was to have been presented in July.

LUKE says: Good one Athol - this is not an issue that should simply be allowed to die. A number of serious allegations were made against senior politicians that were untested and that was quite wrong.

• Full report in The Herald tomorrow

ANC split: Eastern Cape Premier keeps his sense of humour

While the Legislature is abuzz with a possible split in the ANC, Premier Mbulelo Sogoni is clearly one of those who still finds some humour in the situation.

Introducing the tabling of his annual report, Sogoni commented on the earlier election of a new deputy-speaker and chairman of committees telling DA leader Athol Trollip that there was only one nomination for each position “and that demonstrates how united the ANC is”.

Chairman of Committees Sam Masoziwe was elevated to the position of deputy-speaker and Neo Moerane-Mamase takes over his position.

There seems to be general acceptance now that there will be some kind of split, senior members of the Legislature indicating yesterday that they expected the former deputy-minister of Defence Mluleki George to drive the new entity in the Amathole region while there was also a suggestion that former presidential spokesman Smuts Ngonyama might emerge as its candidate for the premiership of the Eastern Cape in the next election.