DA: Democratic institutions must be fire-walled against political meddling

At a media briefing at Parliament, DA leader Mmusi Maimane said the ANC’s policy of cadre deployment had not resulted in service delivery, but had succeeded in turning vital institutions into “extensions” of the ruling party.

He proposed that the president’s power to appoint the head of the NPA be tempered by amending the law to make the decision, and any to remove the person, subject to the approval of the National Assembly. 

In the same vein, he said a multi-party committee of Parliament should select the national police commissioner, and that the legislation governing the appointment of the inspector-general of intelligence be changed to stipulate that the position should be filled by a retired judge.

Maimane also called for a new parliamentary committee to be established to oversee Chapter 9 institutions, which includes the office of the Public Protector, and for a judicial commission of inquiry to be set up to investigate turmoil at the SA Revenue Service, which had been shaken by claims of an illegal spy unit within the institution.

ANA

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