For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: EFF lays criminal charge against Paul O’Sullivan; Presidency assumes control of Iran naval inquiry from Defence Department; And, Parly committee urges transparent probe of sanitary product health risk allegations

EFF lays criminal charge against Paul O’Sullivan

The Economic Freedom Fighters today laid a criminal charge against Forensic analyst Paul O’Sullivan for allegedly contravening the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, saying his refusal to complete recent testimony raised concerns of potential obstruction of accountability processes.

This after O’Sullivan abruptly exited a hearing of the Ad Hoc Committee, established to investigate allegations made by the South African Police Service’s KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, while still under cross examination.

The EFF argued that this conduct violated Section 17 of the Act, which states that a person who refuses to give evidence, or fails to remain in attendance without being excused, could be held in contempt of Parliament.

In its affidavit, EFF deputy secretary general Leigh-Ann Mathys mentioned that O’Sullivan walked out despite objections raised by members of the committee and the committee chairperson.

She claimed that his departure was deliberate, voluntary and in direct defiance of the authority of the committee.

Presidency assumes control of Iran naval inquiry from Defence Department

The probe into Iran’s participation in the BRICS Plus naval exercises, held in South Africa in January, is being relocated from the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans to the Presidency.

This is to “ensure an independent and timeous probe”, according to the Presidency.

President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the investigation into the participation of Iran in the Chinese-led Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace, after his request for Iran to withdraw from the drills was ignored.

Initially launched by the Department of Defence, the inquiry will now be overseen by the Presidency, with the Presidency arguing that Ramaphosa is the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force.

The investigative panel, which will report directly to Ramaphosa, will be chaired by Justice Bernard Ngoepe, who will be assisted by Justice Kathleen Satchwell, Justice Mashangu Monica Leeuw and Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Patrick Duze.

They will investigate why the President’s orders were ignored, identify individuals who are responsible and make recommendations on possible actions to be taken.

The Presidency noted that owing to national security reasons, the panel’s work will be confidential, and that the President will decide, based on recommendations, whether or not to make the findings of the investigation public.

And, Parly committee urges transparent probe of sanitary product health risk allegations

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition said it expected a thorough and transparent investigation, guided by credible science, into findings by the University of the Free State’s Microbiology Department, regarding certain sanitary products sold in South Africa.

The National Consumer Commission is investigating a study by the university, which found that some sanitary pads and panty liners contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can lead to health issues such as hormonal imbalance, infertility, endometriosis and some cancers.

The committee said it viewed the allegations seriously, given that the products are used by millions of women and young girls across the country.

Yesterday, the NCC launched an investigation into nine major suppliers of sanitary pads and panty liners in South Africa.

Committee chairperson Mzwandile Masina welcomed the NCC’s investigation instead of a product recall, indicating a need for further probing to validate the findings.

Masina said the process must determine whether affected products should be removed from retail shelves and also strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent similar occurrences.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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