By Angela Quintal
A major shake-up of the African National Congress in parliament has resulted in several old hands getting the chop as part of an overhaul of the National Assembly's committee system.
In a surprise move, former education minister Kader Asmal, who briefly chaired the ad hoc committee on international relations, will become chairperson of the National Assembly's defence committee, as well as parliament's joint defence committee.
Asmal served as chair of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee while he was a cabinet minister.
His appointment to the defence portfolio has nevertheless raised eyebrows within the caucus.
Significantly, the watchdog committee on public accounts will continue to be chaired by the New National Party's Francois Beukman and not ANC MP Vincent Smith, who remains the party's study group committee chair.
The changes were decided by the ANC's national working and political committees and announced at last week's caucus meeting in parliament.
The National Assembly committees are responsible for processing legislation and for oversight of the executive.
An ad hoc system was set up after the new parliament was constituted in April, pending an overhaul of the committee system.
Previous committee chairpersons who returned to parliament were re-appointed as temporary chairs.
The permanent appointments have resulted in several experienced incumbents getting the chop.
They include finance committee chairperson Barbara Hogan, who is replaced by Rhoda Joemat.
Social development committee chairperson Cas Saloojee is replaced by Tovhowani Tshivhase, while labour committee chairperson Salie Manie has been replaced by Rebecca Kasienyane.
The new deal has also seen some committee chairs transferred to head other portfolio committees, including Rob Davies, who swops trade and industry for the joint budget committee previously headed by Musa Nene.
Connie September succeeds Davies in trade and industry.
Long-time provincial and local government chairperson Yunus Carrim has swopped portfolio's with Ruth Bhengu, chairperson of the sport and recreation committee.
Correctional Services has gone to Dennis Bloem instead of Lewele Modisenyane, while veteran ANC MP Makhosazana Njobe loses the chairmanship of arts and culture to Lechesa Tsenoli.
Fatima Hajaig will chair the subcommittee on foreign policy while Job Sithole will chair that on the African Union.
Nqaba Ngcobo will chair the new science and technology committee.
In a memorandum to party MPs, ANC Chief Whip Nathi Nhleko said the temporary chairs of the existing ad hoc committees would remain in their posts until these were formally dissolved by resolution of parliament.
Meanwhile, three of the 10 ANC MPs serving on the ad hoc committee on the public protector's report into a complaint by Deputy President Jacob Zuma have been promoted to party whip posts.