Election of Acting Chairperson; Committee Minutes

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Health

18 August 2021
Chairperson: Acting Chairperson: Mr T Munyai (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

The Committee met virtually to nominate and elect an acting Chairperson following the appointment of Dr S Dhlomo (ANC) as Deputy Minister of Health on 05 August.

Two candidates nominated for the position:  Mr T Munyai (ANC) and Ms E Wilson (DA). The majority rejected a proposal to conduct the vote via a secret ballot. Three Members voted in favour of Ms Wilson and five for Mr Munyai, who was duly elected acting Chairperson.

The Committee also considered and adopted minutes from meetings held on 09 and 17 June, 20 July and 04 August 2021 without amendments. 
 

Meeting report

Nomination of Chairperson

The Committee Secretary, Ms Vuyokazi Majalamba, opened the meeting. She took the Committee through the procedure for Committee nominations and elections per the Rules, and then invited nominations for the position of acting Chairperson from Members.

Mr M Sokatsha (ANC) nominated Mr T Munyai (ANC).

Mr P van Staden (FF+) nominated Ms E Wilson (DA). He also requested that the ensuing vote be via secret ballot.

Ms H Ismail (DA) seconded the nomination of Ms Wilson.

Ms A Gela (ANC) seconded the nomination of Mr Munyai. She objected to Mr van Staden’s proposal and added that given the Committee was meeting on a virtual platform, voting should be by way of a show of hands.

Dr S Thembekwayo (EFF) indicated she would abstain from the nomination and election process.

The Committee Secretary noted Mr van Staden’s proposals and Ms Gela’s opposition to it, and suggested the Committee take a majority decision on how the election would proceed. She put up the voting procedure to a vote- whether the Committee should proceed via secret ballot or by a show of hands on the virtual platform.

Five Members favoured voting via the virtual platform and three a secret ballot.

The Committee would vote via the virtual platform, per the majority decision.

Election of Chairperson

The Committee Secretary invited Members in favour of the election of Mr Munyai as acting Chairperson to indicate by a show of hands on the virtual platform.

Five Members voted in favour of Mr Munyai.

The Committee Secretary then invited those in favour of the election of Ms Wilson to indicate on the virtual platform.

Three Members voted in favour of Ms Wilson.

Mr Munyai was duly elected acting Chairperson. He would preside over Committee meetings up until a permanent Chairperson is appointed.

Acting Chairperson’s remarks and discussions

The Acting Chairperson thanked Members for affording him the opportunity to lead the Committee through a democratic process. He briefly took the Committee through the Rule on Virtual Meetings in terms of Rule 6 (Unforeseen Eventualities), and invited comments from Members.

Ms Wilson noted the Rules and said the acting Chairperson himself often made derogatory comments about other Members, had interjected and behaved quite abysmally during meetings. She implored the acting Chairperson to uphold his end of the bargain.

The Acting Chairperson noted Ms Wilson’s comments and added any views were welcome in a democratic dispensation.

Mr van Staden congratulated and wished the acting Chairperson well on his election. The work of the Committee is crucial given the pandemic.

Mr A Shaik-Emam (NFP) also congratulated the acting Chairperson and remarked the Committee has the responsibility to hold the executive to account and, more importantly, to ensure South Africans receive the best of healthcare. He noted the conflicting reports and a lot of disinformation in the media. In an effort to demystify some of the narratives relating to COVID-19, the Committee should invite different role players and stakeholders for discussions on the different views on vaccines, Ivermectin and so forth. There is valuable information out there and different voices in the medical fraternity should not be ignored.

Mr Sokatsha congratulated the acting Chairperson on behalf of the ANC. He expressed the party’s full confidence in him.

Ms M Sukers (ACDP) acknowledged and congratulated the acting Chairperson on his election and implored him to facilitate open discussions in the Committee. She agreed with Mr Shaik-Emam that the different views being presented and punted by various stakeholders on social media and elsewhere should be interrogated and heard by the Committee, in an effort to deal with the pandemic.

The Acting Chairperson appreciated the congratulatory remarks and gave assurances that during his tenure, the executive would be held accountable without fear or favour, and healthy discussions will be facilitated at all times. The remarks from the DA were expected as the party was opposed to all things progressive. However, their views were respected.

Ms Wilson said her point, which she had articulated earlier, was being proven by the acting Chairperson’s remarks. The acting Chairperson could not make such remarks in a meeting.

The Acting Chairperson said Ms Wilson’s input was considered with due respect.

Adoption of minutes

The Acting Chairperson put the minutes of meetings held on 9 and 17 June, 20 July, and 4 August up for consideration and adoption.

The minutes were adopted without amendments.

The Acting Chairperson thanked everyone and adjourned the meeting.

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