WCGRB Vacancies: Interviews & deliberations

Meeting report

Nomination of Acting Chairperson
According to Standing Rule 82(3), in the absence of the Chairperson from the meeting, the Committee would need to select one of its Members to be the Acting Chairperson. Members were asked for nominations.

Mr D Mitchell (DA) nominated Mr A Van der Westhuizen (DA) as Acting Chairperson.

Ms M Maseko (DA) seconded the nomination for Mr Van der Westhuizen as Chairperson.
 
No further nominations were called.  Mr Van der Westhuizen became the Acting Chairperson for the duration of the meeting.

The Acting Chairperson thanked the Committee for placing its faith and trust in him. The Chairperson, despite the feeling of being thrown into the deep end, remained confident that the Committee could achieve the goals it had set out for itself. In terms of the resolution taken on 19 August that the interviews would be done during a closed session, Members were asked for a formal decision to close the meeting before they progressed to the questions and procedures that would follow with regard to the candidates.

Mr Mitchell proposed an official tabling for the closing of the meeting for the duration of the interviews; whilst still maintaining a backup for Hansard purposes.

The Chairperson agreed, stating that the closing of the meeting would allow all candidates an equal opportunity with regard to candidates hearing questions before it was their turn.

Ms Maseko seconded the proposal to close the meeting for the duration of the interviews.

The Chairperson thanked Members and stated the procedure for the day. The first hour had been set aside for Members to reach an agreement as to the questions which they wished to put to candidates.

The live stream was cut, and the meeting was closed off to the public.

Adoption of the Committee Report

Following a number of hours, the live stream was resumed, and the meeting was open to the public.

The Acting Chairperson asked Members to go through the Report and give an indication of amendments and/or comments.

Mr Mitchell moved to support the adoption of the Report.

Ms N Makamba–Botya (EFF) maintained her submission on the process being flawed and that the Committee had acted outside of its mandate. She had not supported the Report because a candidate had not been compliant with their tax returns and as such, would not meet the requirements to serve, as it fell under a dishonesty and integrity issue. She indicated that she wished for the minority view to be recorded.

Ms Maseko stated that she supported the Report. She was unclear as to the issue of the minority view.

The minority view was recorded.

Mr Mitchell stated that he would take guidance from administration. According to his knowledge, a minority view was to be recorded as per standing rule 90 and the reasons could be contained in the minutes of the meeting.

Ms L Cloete, Procedural Officer for the WCPP, explained that Mr Mitchell was correct. The Committee was informed that the phrasing of the minority view would be reworded as soon as the meeting had adjourned. Basically, the minority view expressed by the EFF was to not support the Report.

The Chairperson thanked Members and support staff for the attendance; in what happened to be a very long and jam-packed day.

The meeting was adjourned