The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) have written letters to the Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula calling for the recusal of the Chairperson of the Section 194 Committee of Inquiry Richard Dyantyi.

INQUIRY

Dyantyi is chairing an inquiry probing Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office. The EFF says that Dyantyi should remove himself from the position due to his alleged involvement in soliciting bribes from the Public Protector with the intention of quashing the inquiry.

BRIBE ALLEGATIONS

This follows allegations that Dyantyi and two other ANC members, the late Tina Joemat-Pettersen and Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina tried to solicit a R600 000 bribe from Mkhwebane to make the charges against her go away. Mkhwebane's husband Mandla Skhosana, opened a criminal case against the three at OR Tambo International Airport. Skosana reportedly submitted WhatsApp conversations between him and the late Joemat-Pettersson supporting his claims. The majority of members of the committee have said there is no need for Dyantyi to recuse himself until the matter is formally brought to the committee or Parliament makes a decision to recall him. The EFF and ATM on Tuesday insisted that Dyantyi should recuse himself to preserve the integrity of the process. Dyantyi has however said Mkhwebane must apply for his recusal in writing. In response, Mkhwebane who is currently on suspension said that she was not going to write any recusal application but she was allowing Dyantyi to recuse himself voluntarily.