DA MPs Walk Out Of Explosive Parliament Session Over Kishene Chetty Appearance

Tensions flared in Parliament on Thursday as members of the Democratic Alliance (DA) walked out of a contentious sitting of an ad hoc committee probing alleged corruption within South Africa’s justice system.

The dramatic moment unfolded after tenderpreneur Kishene Chetty appeared before the committee in Cape Town to give testimony related to multiple criminal investigations.

Chetty is among 18 accused individuals — including members of the South African Police Service — facing charges such as fraud, corruption, forgery and theft connected to irregular personal protective equipment contracts worth about R8 million.

According to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, the funds were allegedly used to cover legal fees for police officers arrested in a separate corruption case currently before the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

DA MPs raise concerns about testimony and legal risks

During his appearance, Chetty told the committee that he was waiting for a judge to be appointed to hear a review application relating to several criminal matters against him.

He claimed authorities had abused their powers and alleged that some of the charges brought against him were duplicated.

“When I do complain about them, I get arrested or they retaliate by using stat machinery. I have proof of all of that,” Chetty told the committee.

However, Glynnis Breytenbach warned that allowing Chetty to testify without legal representation could harm his defence in the criminal cases he faces.

“My major concern is that we operate on a principle of innocence until proven guilty in this country, but he stands an excellent chance of enduring himself a lot of damage in those matters that are on the roll.

“That’s really some serious that he should think about,” Breytenbach said.

She also questioned whether the information being presented was relevant to the committee’s work.

“So we are going to spend a day trolling through, with respect, irrelevant information, not even evidence,” she added.

MPs clash over handling of controversial witness

Other MPs echoed concerns about how the committee handled the situation.

Xola Nqola criticised the committee’s legal team, saying they should have warned members about potential legal issues before inviting Chetty to testify.

“It is becoming a problem. We agree [that] the nature of what is said in the affidavit requires a competent court of law.

“It’s a detriment, a legal detriment to Mr Chetty himself to come and answer here,” Nqola said.

Meanwhile, Sibonelo Nomvalo accused the legal advisers of failing the witness.

“What are they doing during consultation? Are they guiding witnesses on legalities, or [do] they just accept and say, ‘bring everything, we’ll just pass it as it is to the ad hoc committee,” Nomvalo asked.

Nomvalo argued that the committee should not send Chetty away after allowing him to appear.

“He has been failed by this committee. He has been failed by the evidence leader, and now, we want to suffocate him. We want to turn him away.”

‘Parliament is an embarrassment,’ says EFF MP

The dispute escalated further when Leigh-Ann Mathys criticised Parliament’s handling of the matter.

“We are an embarrassment to the people who voted for us. parliament is an embarrassment not to provide adequate resources,” Mathys said.

She also argued that the sub judice rule is sometimes used in Parliament to avoid confronting difficult issues.

“It’s a long sing-song story. Mr Chetty has been here. This is his second time; the first time we even sent him away,” she added.

Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls suggested that Chetty should be allowed to decide whether he wished to continue testifying.

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“If he goes to jail because we asked him [questions] and he is found guilty, then he is found guilty.

“He must go to jail. We won’t visit you, Mr Chetty, we’ll be glad that we have contributed to whatever the court will find if you are found guilty,” Sauls said.

Later in the meeting, Breytenbach asked to be excused from the session and left alongside fellow DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard.

Despite the walkout and objections raised during the debate, committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane ruled that proceedings would continue.

Chetty confirmed that he was willing to proceed with his testimony before the committee.