ANC MP Mervyn Dirks slapped with suspension over Ramaphosa criticism
Updated | By Nokukhanya N Mntambo
ANC MP Mervyn Dirks has been placed on precautionary suspension by the party’s parliamentary caucus over what is believed to be a spat over criticism against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This after Dirks asked the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) to hold the governing party’s leader to account on explosive claims heard in a widely circulated audio clip.
Last year, a clip of Ramaphosa made the rounds on social media where he can be heard allegedly admitting to being aware of public funds being used for political campaigns in the build up to the Nasrec elective conference in 2017.
With the tape in hand, Dirks penned a letter to Scopa urging the committee to “summons the president to appear before it, to account about what he knows about the misuse of public funds for party political activities”.
“As SCOPA we must have the courage of our conviction to protect the public purse and hold those who abuse public funds accountable and demand consequence management,” the letter went on to say.
In a replying letter dated 17 January, the ANC’s chief whip Penny Majodina ordered Dirks to withdraw the letter to Scopa but Dirks refused to back down.
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On Thursday, Majodina issued Dirks with a suspension letter.
“This follows your conduct unbecoming of a Whip of the ANC Parliamentary Caucus, a position of leadership in the ANC Caucus,” Majodina said in the 1-page letter.
In the letter, seen by Jacaranda FM News, Dirks is relieved of his duties as the whip of the ANC Scopa study group and as the questions whip of the ANC parliamentary caucus.
Dirks’ Scopa membership was also withdrawn, for the period of suspension while investigations are underway.
“Further details will be provided to you within the next seven (7) working days in order for you to prepare appropriately for the contemplated proceedings,” the letter reads.
The suspension takes effect immediately.
Meanwhile, the ANC caucus refused to comment further on the “internal matter”.
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