ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli has emphasized that protecting members of the Ad Hoc Committee is a shared duty among citizens, not just the state's.
The African National Congress Chief Whip in Parliament, Mdumiseni Ntuli, stated that the safety of members serving on the Ad Hoc Committee, which is investigating allegations of political interference in the criminal justice system, should be a collective responsibility. This comes after a recent incident where one committee member was kidnapped and released only after a ransom was paid.
Ntuli made these remarks during an interview with SABC News on the sidelines of the ANC's National General Council. He highlighted the challenges the state faces in safeguarding every public representative who might be at risk due to their work. 'It's going to be difficult for the state to protect each and every public representative who happen to be under threat because of their genuine contribution to the development of our country,' Ntuli said.
He called on South Africans to support public representatives by staying vigilant against criminal activities. Ntuli expressed confidence in the majority of honest citizens who would contribute to ensuring safety. 'We are part of this nation and we believe that the overwhelming majority of South Africans are honest, and genuine South Africans who will make whatever contribution that is possible for them to ensure that they also help us to remain vigilant,' he added.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about threats to those involved in sensitive parliamentary inquiries, prompting calls for broader societal involvement in protection efforts.
