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EFF to deputy minister: ‘Did Guptas pay for your suit?’

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Gert Oosthuizen. Picture: George Germishuys
Gert Oosthuizen. Picture: George Germishuys

“Have you met the Guptas? Did you ever visit their home? Did they pay for that suit you’re wearing? Did you get money from them?”

These were some of the questions Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Marshall Dlamini posed to Gert Oosthuizen, deputy sports minister, in Parliament last night.

Oosthuizen refused to respond.

Dlamini also wanted to know if Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula had received any money from the Guptas. 

“The Guptas are stealing all the money!” Dlamini said.

Before Oosthuizen could respond, chairperson Grace Boroto declared it a new question and told Oosthuizen he wasn’t obligated to answer it.

“New question,” Oosthuizen declared, later stating that it was “unacceptable” that Dlamini accused Mbalula of accepting money [from the Guptas].  

Dlamini said he had merely asked a follow-up question to the one posed by DA MP Solly Malatsi.

Malatsi said: “It is general knowledge that the Guptas informed Minister Razzmatazz (Mbalula) about his appointment as minister.”

Malatsi had to withdraw “Razzmatazz”. He then wanted to know whether Oosthuizen or Mbalula had ever met the Guptas.

Oosthuizen said he hadn’t, but that he first had to check whether Mbalula had.  

MPs were not satisfied with this response.

Veronica Mente, EFF MP, said: “He mustn’t play with us, we are not children; this is not a crèche.”

Oosthuizen earlier said that Mbalula had met with the SA Rugby Union (Saru) about the Jurie Roux matter and that he was satisfied that Saru had met all its obligations. The ministry would not be taking further steps.

Oosthuizen answered questions on behalf of Mbalula, who was absent.

Oosthuizen was not the only member of the executive who left opposition MPs frustrated with his answers.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga so annoyed opposition benches that John Steenhuisen, DA chief whip, suggested that her deputy, Enver Surty, though himself “a bit longwinded”, answer questions on her behalf.

Members were further frustrated by the absence of certain ministers.

Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Makonyane, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, and Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa were supposed to answer questions, but did not show up.

Steenhuisen objected and asked Speaker Baleka Mbete to raise the issue with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Mbete said such discussions were already underway and that everyone "was not happy".

Apart from Oosthuizen and Motshekga, questions were answered by Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who is again the subject of a Hawks investigation, was also in attendance.

He had a lengthy discussion with Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel.

Sisulu at one point walked past him, touched his hand and smiled. Later Gordhan spoke to Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom.

He left at around 18:00.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, who was on Tuesday christened “Minister of Instagram” by the EFF, spent much of the session on his tablet.

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