The Office of the African National Congress Chief Whip in Parliament has distanced the party from what it says are malicious political views expressed in a document produced by Parliament’s research department. 

The research was done on behalf of the portfolio committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Caucus spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says the report makes serious political judgments against the integrity of Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson and casts aspersions on her competence. 

Moloto says they will engage the research unit. “We are going to ask for a meeting with the head of Parliamentary research so that we can get clarity as to what is the role of Parliamentary research should it contain political statements should it made political claims we really need to get understanding so that we are together in this.”

However, Democratic Alliance MP Annette Steyn says the document does not in any way express specific political views and is a fair and accurate assessment on the performance of Joemat-Pettersson. 

She says the ANC caucus in Parliament should not be allowed to bully or intimidate any member of staff who does not toe their party-political line. “Parliamentary staffs are meant to be objective and present work that is an accurate and fair assessment of the performance of government that is their job,” says Steyn.

The role of the parliamentary research department is to offer objective and impartial research information

The document – extracts from which were quoted in Business Day on Wednesday – stated that the responsibility for fisheries management “is in the wrong hands”.

It further lists mismanaged ships, a lack of research planning, and targets and a strategic plan out of step with the National Development Plan, as problems that must be addressed. It claims the department is in a “defiant mode” with regard to its plans to allocate 70% of fishing rights to SMMEs during the 2013/14 financial year.

Motshekga said the paper attacked the integrity of Joemat-Pettersson. “The role of the parliamentary research department is to offer objective and impartial research information and analysis to enable committee members to have an informed discussion on the topic of the day,” he said.

“Expression of political statements, personal judgements, and posturing is a terrain that should be left to politicians, not staff members.” – Additional reporting by Sapa