The African National Congress (ANC) caucus in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature has called on Western Cape Premier Alan Winde to resign, accusing him of displaying “double standards and delinquency” during a meeting of the legislature’s oversight committee on Friday.
The criticism follows a special meeting of the Standing Committee on the Premier and Constitutional Matters, where the budget of the Department of the Premier (Western Cape) was discussed.
The committee is responsible for overseeing the provincial executive, public entities and the implementation of legislation.
During the meeting, ANC members questioned Winde about findings by the legislature’s Conduct Committee of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament related to his failure to disclose sponsored international travel to the United States.
According to the ANC caucus, Winde told the committee he respected the Conduct Committee’s appeals process, but in the same response raised concerns about the committee’s integrity and how it applied the audi alteram partem rule. This legal principle requires a person to be given a fair opportunity to respond before a decision is made.
The caucus said the premier’s comments appeared to suggest he had not been given a fair chance to respond before the committee reached its findings. The ANC also pointed out that the Conduct Committee he questioned is largely made up of members from his own party, the Democratic Alliance, which governs the province.
In its statement, the ANC caucus said Winde’s conduct demonstrated a lack of respect for democratic institutions and the oversight role of the provincial legislature.
“The Premier’s double standards and delinquency once again demonstrate his lack of respect for the institutions of our democracy,” the caucus said.
The ANC reiterated its position that Winde is “unfit to hold office” and called on him to “do the honourable thing and resign with immediate effect.”
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Oluthando Keteyi
iol.co.za