Ntuli rejects claims study groups are ‘secretive’, calls criticism ‘misguided’

ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli has defended the party’s parliamentary study groups, saying recent criticisms from some Government of National Unity (GNU) partners are “not well-informed, completely misguided and devoid of any truth.” Ntuli spoke during a media briefing at Parliament on Wednesday as the groups faced scrutiny over the involvement of government officials.

What Ntuli said about the purpose of study groups

Ntuli described study groups as “preparatory forum[s] where ANC Members of Parliament collectively engage with and analyse documents and matters that belong within the terrain of work of deployment.” He said the meetings discuss “forthcoming committee business, oversight of government departments, and organs of state, the processing of legislation, and the facilitation of public participation.”

Officials invited only for technical briefings, Ntuli says

Responding to concerns about officials briefing ANC study groups, Ntuli said:

“Officials from government departments are occasionally invited solely to provide factual and technical briefings on matters of interest to the respective study groups. These are information-sharing sessions only. No directives are issued, and no administrative authority is exercised. They are certainly not sinister attempts to facilitate state capture in any form, as others, strangely, have sought to suggest.”

He added that the invitation of public sector officials to provide information “does not contravene the law” and that “all political parties are at liberty to request information from government departments to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities.”

Background to the scrutiny

The study groups came under scrutiny after parliamentary responses revealed that at least four ministers had confirmed departmental officials had attended ANC study groups to brief them on topics for portfolio committee meetings and to explain technical issues. The issue was raised in parliamentary questions by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and flagged earlier by other parties and figures:

• DA parliamentary leader George Michalakis said the officials’ attendance is a serious violation of the principle of separation of party and state.
• Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube flagged the issue in an open letter in March.
• UDM leader and Defence Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and Public Service Commission chairperson Professor Somadoda Fikeni in April about what he called “the informal and secretive gatherings.”

ANC’s view on legality and internal management

Ntuli said ANC internal caucus arrangements are determined by the office of the Chief Whip and that neither the Speaker of the National Assembly nor GNU partners can dictate how a political party manages its internal affairs. He argued it is “factually incorrect” to suggest study groups embed MPs in administrative processes and said the ANC has “consistently exercised its oversight role in accordance with the constitutional obligations imposed by Section 42(3), the legislative authority contained in Section 44 of the Constitution, and the Rules of Parliament.”

Comment on Sisisi Tolashe deployment

Ntuli also addressed the deployment of axed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe, noting that she will be assigned to portfolio committees in Parliament like other ANC members who no longer occupy executive roles. He said he had not yet finalised which committees she would join but expected assignments “in the next week or two.”

The article also reported that two luxury vehicles reportedly linked to Tolashe a white and a yellow BAIC Beijing X55 SUV are each valued at between R400,000 and R500,000, giving a combined estimated value of nearly R1 million.

Contact details and bylines from the original report were included in the source material.