Johannesburg - North West legislature Speaker Susan Dantjie was not informed about the developments in the murder case against EFF chief whip Papiki Babuile, her spokesman said on Wednesday.
“Given the fact that Mr Papiki Babuile represents his party in the legislature, it is regrettable that... honourable Susan Dantjie was not informed on the developments of his case,” Teboho Chaane said in a statement.
“The Speaker views this matter in a very serious light and intends to speedily bring it to its... conclusion by taking all steps necessary ... to address the status of Mr Babuile 1/8and 3/8 his eligibility to continue his membership in the legislature.”
Dantjie learnt of Babuile's conviction through media reports in November last year.
She had written to the Economic Freedom Fighters on January 16
requesting details of his conviction and sentencing. The party did not respond.
“Part of the details solicited was whether or not Mr Babuile, has appealed the matter and relevant details thereto, as well as to ascertain his status and eligibility to occupy a seat in the legislature,” Chaane said.
“This would have assisted the legislature to take an informed decision and to act on the matter in terms of its rules and procedures.”
Dantjie sent another letter on January 26 requesting clarity.
She also indicated that failure to respond within five days would result in Babuile's salary being suspended and processes being initiated to terminate his membership from the legislature.
The Citizen on Tuesday reported that Babuile had been running the EFF's North West affairs from his prison cell. He was jailed last year for 12 years for the murder of David Chika, regional secretary of the African National Congress.
The newspaper said it had been reliably informed that Babuile, whose annual package is over R1 million, received his December and January salaries while in jail.
Sapa