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Opposition parties rooting for ANC man

Jackson Mthembu with their statement on the athletic saga and bad management...pic Tyrone Arthur/Mainbody/Jackson Mthembu/05-10-2009
Jackson Mthembu with their statement on the athletic saga and bad management...pic Tyrone Arthur/Mainbody/Jackson Mthembu/05-10-2009

IN AN unprecedented move two opposition parties in Mpumalanga are speaking with one voice on the appointment of the speaker in the provincial legislature - and their choice is an ANC man.

IN AN unprecedented move two opposition parties in Mpumalanga are speaking with one voice on the appointment of the speaker in the provincial legislature - and their choice is an ANC man.

Cope and the DA want Fish Mahlalela, chairperson of the Select committee on public accounts (Scopa), to take the hot seat.

The position became vacant last month when former speaker Jackson Mthembu was redeployed to Luthuli House as national ANC spin doctor.

The parties said after "careful consideration" of all the ANC MPLs, they came to the conclusion that Mahlalela was "best suited" for the job and decided they would nominate him accordingly.

"Despite initial misgivings about Mahlalela being Scopa chairperson and our concerns that, as an ANC man, he would not hold the executive (ANC) to full account, he has proven himself.

"He is an independent, hard-working and conscientious person who remains objective and neutral."

Mahlalela said: "I respect their trust but in the ANC we do not appoint members through media statements.

"Only the ANC can appoint me anywhere it deems fit, not the opposition."

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