Wayne Duvenage | CEO at the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse

Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi has been elected chair of parliament’s watchdog Standing Committee on Public Accounts, continuing the tradition of giving the post to an opposition politician.

It was previously held by the Inkatha Freedom Party’s Mkhuleko Hlengwa, who now serves as deputy minister of transport in the government of national unity.

Rise Mzansi did not get any positions in the executive in return for joining the broad coalition and it was widely expected that the party, which won two seats in the National Assembly, would instead get to lead a key committee in the legislature.

In a statement, Rise Mzansi said Scopa “can best be described as a super oversight committee” since it interrogates how taxpayers’ money is spent.

“Scopa now has a new leader who will work with and for the people of South Africa to ensure that money is spent and accounted for in the pursuit of building a safe, prosperous, equal and united South Africa,” it added.

The Democratic Alliance will chair five of parliament’s 30 portfolio committees.