Ncube Sues Tshabangu Over Parliamentary Reshuffle

Some
critics
argue
that
this
reshuffle
seeks
to
replace
current
holders
of
influential
positions
with
his
supporters.

The
Speaker
of
the
National
Assembly,
Tshabangu,
and
Senator
Nonhlahla
Mlotshwa
have
been
named
as
respondents
in
the
court
papers.

The
applicants
are
requesting
a
court
declaration
that
Tshabangu’s
decision
to
remove
them
from
the
Standing
Rules
and
Orders
Committee
(SROC)
is
unlawful
and
exceeds
his
constitutional
authority.

They
are
also
challenging
the
appointment
of
Mlotshwa
as
the
CCC
chief
whip,
claiming
the
position
is
not
recognised
under
Section
151
(2)
of
the
Constitution.

Further,
they
are
contesting
the
reshuffling
of
various
CCC
members
across
parliamentary
committees.

The
applicants
seek
an
order
to
prevent
the
Speaker
from
announcing
these
changes
in
the
National
Assembly.

In
support
of
their
application,
Ncube
filed
an
affidavit
asserting
that
Tshabangu
lacked
the
authority
to
make
such
decisions
and
that
disciplinary
action
will
be
taken
against
him.

Ncube
argued
that
Tshabangu
violated
a
previous
court
order
that
barred
him
from
recalling
party
members,
claiming
the
reshuffle
was
effectively
a
recall.

Ncube’s
affidavit
further
argued
that
Tshabangu’s
actions
were
an
overreach
of
power,
and
disciplinary
proceedings
would
follow.
Said
Ncube:

His
actions
(Tshabangu)
do
not
represent
the
collective
decision
of
the
CCC.

He
was
on
a
frolic
of
his
own
and
what
he
did
does
not
reflect
the
collective
and
correct
position
of
the
1
Applicant
(CCC).

He
is
a
non-entity
and
it
is
surprising
that
the
Speaker
keeps
entertaining
him
instead
of
the
party.

I
firmly
contend
that
Tshabangu
has
disguised
recalls
as
redeployments
in
violation
of
a
court
ruling.

The
matter
is
yet
to
be
heard
in
court,
and
no
official
date
has
been
set
for
the
hearing.
Until
the
case
is
heard,
the
status
quo
remains.