CAPE TOWN - The EFF says Parliament is compromised.
The party has laid a criminal complaint against forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan after he allegedly defied Parliament during an Ad Hoc Committee sitting.
On Thursday, O’Sullivan left in the middle of his testimony, saying he had a plane to catch.
EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys said Parliament Speaker Thoko Didiza failed to act against him.
READ | O'Sullivan walks out of Parliament, EFF calls for arrest
“It’s not the first time. If you go and ask her why she hasn’t acted on that same man who threatened a witness during proceedings -- the committee has written a report and a legal opinion has been given to her -- and she didn’t act on it,” said Mathys.
Mathys said the party opened a case against O’Sullivan to address what it describes as a “captured Parliament”.
“They [Parliament] are protecting someone when we don’t even know how he got his citizenship. If you go through the documents we received from Home Affairs, you will see that this man is a fraudster. He has captured our justice system,” she said.
WATCH: 'I am not a spy' - Paul O'Sullivan tells MPs at Ad Hoc Committee
Didiza has since demanded a report on what transpired during the sitting.
Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said if O’Sullivan is found to have undermined the constitutional and oversight functions of Parliament, it could amount to a criminal offence.
“Regardless of whether you were appearing before the committee by invitation or after being summoned, the implications or consequences of your actions remain the same,” Mothapo cautioned.
“Whether you were forced, invited or came voluntarily, you must conduct yourself in a manner that respects the constitutional function of Parliament and the authority of the Speaker. You must comply, respond to questions and remain until you have been excused.”