ANC MP Khoza to get protection from parliament

The National Assembly has bowed to pressure and agreed to provide ANC MP, Dr Makhosi Khoza, with protection.

This comes after Khoza had been fighting for months to get protection from Parliament following incidents of death threats made against her by unknown people.

Her daughter received similar threats recently and that prompted Khoza to go public about her situation.

Khoza, who is Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, reported the matter to ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu who in turn reported it to Speaker Baleka Mbete.

Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said Mbete referred Khoza’s issue to the police.

“SAPS conducted a security assessment and submitted its report, with recommendations, on Thursday, 13 July, for consideration by Parliament’s Executive Authority – the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. The security assessment confirmed that a security threat existed and that appropriate support must be provided to Dr Khoza,” Mothapo said.

He said Khoza would be provided with security as soon as possible and that she would be advised of the arrangements.

Mothapo declined to give details of the type of security to be given to Khoza.

“We cannot detail that as we do not want to compromise her security. That belongs to SAPS.

“Parliament once again condemns the threats against Dr Khoza and further urges the police to leave no stone unturned in apprehending the culprits. Such actions attempt to interfere with the institution’s Constitutional function of carrying out its oversight duties,” Mothapo said.

Khoza has been campaigning for the house to offer her security after she received several death threats during the SABC public hearings on the state of affairs at the broadcaster.

The threats emanated from her line of questioning as she insisted on accountability from the SABC management regarding various problems at the broadcast house.

The same MP is under threat from her own party for openly expressing views in favour of a secret ballot and the need for MPs to vote according to their consciences in the upcoming motion of no confidence.