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Didiza warns MPs: Respect legal advisers or risk undermining Parliament's credibility

Didiza warns MPs: Respect legal advisers or risk undermining Parliament's credibility

IOL News10 hours ago
Parliament's legal advisers, governed by strict ethical standards, deserve respect, says Speaker Didiza. She urges MPs to challenge legal opinions constructively, not through personal attacks that erode institutional trust.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, has come out strongly in defence of Parliament's legal advisory services following questions about their competence and integrity that were raised.
''Their work is rooted in principles of ethical conduct, professional responsibility, and the pursuit of justice in support of the constitutional mandate of Parliament,'' Didiza said in a statement.
This comes after remarks were made during proceedings of the Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
Didiza expressed concern over the nature of some of the comments made during the committee's sessions, describing them as unfair and potentially damaging to the institution's credibility.
She said Parliament's legal advisers are not just support staff but are 'highly qualified, admitted legal practitioners, governed by the Legal Practice Act and accountable to professional bodies such as the Legal Practice Council.'
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National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has emphasised that she has unequivocal confidence in the professionalism, competence, and integrity of Parliament's legal advisory services. Image: Supplied National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has come to the defence of the parliamentary legal services after it came under scrutiny in the Ad Hoc Committee inquiring into the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. This comes after members of the inquiry were unhappy with remarks made by a member of the legal team that the allegations made by Mkhwanazi were technically not evidence. The remarks have been used as one of the motivations by some MPs to call for the appointment of an external legal counsel to lead evidence in the inquiry. On Thursday, Didiza said she noted with concern certain remarks made during proceedings of the Ad Hoc Committee, questioning the competence and integrity of the legal team assigned to support the committee. She said she has unequivocal confidence in the professionalism, competence, and integrity of Parliament's legal advisory services. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Parliamentary legal advisers are not merely administrative staff members, they are all highly qualified, admitted legal practitioners, governed by the Legal Practice Act and accountable to professional bodies such as the Legal Practice Council. 'Their work is rooted in principles of ethical conduct, professional responsibility, and the pursuit of justice in support of the constitutional mandate of Parliament.' In apparent reference to the affected legal team member, Didiza said Parliament was privileged to be served by one of the most experienced and competent legal teams in a wide and diverse array of legal expertise. She also said the drafting services and advice provided by the parliamentary legal services have passed the test under the most rigorous legal and constitutional scrutiny. The team has consistently guided the institution with credibility and authority. 'While Members of Parliament may, at times, find certain legal opinions unpalatable or may disagree with them, such opinions are nonetheless based on sound legal reasoning and are always intended to support both committees and the institution as a whole, to act within the framework of the Constitution and the law.' Didiza added that constructive engagement with legal advice was both natural and welcome in a democratic parliamentary setting. 'However, it is profoundly important to distinguish between debating the merits of advice and launching unjustified personal attacks on the integrity or competence of the legal professionals who provide it. 'To cast aspersions on these officers of the court for how they deliver their legal opinions or for their considered advice is not only unfair and unjust to the individuals concerned, but also poses a serious risk to the credibility of Parliament and the integrity of its processes, including those currently before the Ad Hoc Committee.'

Didiza warns MPs: Respect legal advisers or risk undermining Parliament's credibility
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Didiza warns MPs: Respect legal advisers or risk undermining Parliament's credibility

Parliament's legal advisers, governed by strict ethical standards, deserve respect, says Speaker Didiza. She urges MPs to challenge legal opinions constructively, not through personal attacks that erode institutional trust. Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, has come out strongly in defence of Parliament's legal advisory services following questions about their competence and integrity that were raised. ''Their work is rooted in principles of ethical conduct, professional responsibility, and the pursuit of justice in support of the constitutional mandate of Parliament,'' Didiza said in a statement. This comes after remarks were made during proceedings of the Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Didiza expressed concern over the nature of some of the comments made during the committee's sessions, describing them as unfair and potentially damaging to the institution's credibility. She said Parliament's legal advisers are not just support staff but are 'highly qualified, admitted legal practitioners, governed by the Legal Practice Act and accountable to professional bodies such as the Legal Practice Council.'

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