Mkhuleko Hlengwa apologises to Eskom’s Busisiwe Mavuso

Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) chairperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa has apologised to Eskom board member, Busisiwe Mavuso following their heated exchange during a meeting last week.

Mavuso blamed the ruling party for Eskom’s woes and this did not sit well with Hlengwa. Mavuso left the proceedings after being told by Hlengwa to  “behave” herself or leave the sitting.

Hlengwa said while he applied the rules of parliament accordingly during the meeting, his interaction with Mavuso could have been handled better.

Hlengwa said the IFP National Executive Committee met to discuss the issue and asked him to reflect on the matter.

“The party asked me to reflect on the manner in which these rules were applied, and to give due regard to how Ms Mavuso may have felt, considering the sentiments she expressed on Radio 702 on Monday, 25 April 2022.

“I have done this. Accordingly, I wish to express an apology to Ms Mavuso; which I will convey to her in due course. I accept that the situation could have been handled better.”

Mkhuleko Hlengwa

Mavuso said she will not be told to behave like a 12-year-old girl during her interview on Radio702 on the exhange.

DA CALLS FOR SCOPA CHAIRPERSON’S CONDUCT TO BE INVESTIGATED

On Monday, the DA called on Parliament to investigate Hlengwa’s behaviour in the SCOPA meeting.

The party said Hlengwa’s actions are not only reprehensible, but they are also the polar opposite of what a SCOPA chairperson should be like.

Natasha Mazzone said members of various boards of directors are summoned to SCOPA to be held accountable by Parliament, and they have the right to speak freely and honestly. They are required to tell the truth.

“It has never happened that a board member who was telling the truth or speaking frankly was asked to quit because the SCOPA chairperson did not like what he was hearing.

“Hlengwa treated  Mavuso with total disrespect and disdain after she presented an honest account of her findings and experiences with Eskom.”

Natasha Mazzone

The DA previously said Mavuso should be praised for pointing out that the ANC is partly responsible for the current state of Eskom.