Premier
Question by:
Hon Pat Lekker
Answered by:
Hon Alan Winde
Question Number:
14
Question Body:
- Whether he received any legal advice on the matter of Minister Madikizela falsifying his academic qualification; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- (a) what are the reasons for the suspension of Minister Madikizela and (b) what process was followed to arrive at that decision;
- whether his government is conducting any investigation into the serious allegations of the falsification of academic records against Minister Madikizela; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details, including (i) a progress report on the investigation and (ii) what will happen when the 14-day suspension comes to an end;
- what are the reasons for not suspending Minister Madikizela until all the investigations into the matter have been concluded?
Answer Body:
- While I received initial internal legal advice, I did not procure legal advice as Minister Madikizela resigned as a member of my cabinet during his period of suspension. I believe that his decision under the circumstances was the right and honourable thing to do.
- In line with the DA’s strong stance on accountability, Minister Madikizela was suspended in order to enable a full ventilation of the facts to take place during the 14-day period in question, including any representations he may wish to make in that regard. The decision to apply a 14-day period of suspension for this purpose was taken by me and was not contested by Minister Madikizela.
- Minister Madikizela tendered his resignation as a member of my cabinet with effect from 29 April 2021, which I accepted. He is accordingly no longer a member of my cabinet and this question is hence moot.
- See answer to question (3) above.
Date:
Friday, April 30, 2021
