This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
The Parliamentary ad hoc committee which was set to consider President Jacob Zuma's submissions on the Public Protector's report on Nkandla has effectively been dissolved.
A report by the committee referring the matter to the fifth Parliament was adopted on Monday, following heated arguments between ANC MPs and their opposition counterparts.'
The matter was put to a vote after the ANC proposed it stand over for the next Parliament to consider after the May 7 elections.
The ANC used its majority to win the vote.
According to a statement from parliament, "the Committee noted that despite its commitment to the task, there was insufficient time to complete the work as set out in the terms of reference.
The Ad Hoc Committee recommends that this matter be referred to the fifth Parliament for consideration."
Frustrated opposition party MPs strongly objected, with the DA's Lindiwe Mazibuko, reportedly describing it as a shamefull state of affairs.
"By using their majority to pass a motion to refer the matter to the fifth Parliament, the ANC showed once and for all, that the only South African that matters to them, is Mr Jacob Zuma.
It was without doubt part of a plan of action, cooked up at Luthuli House, which saw delaying tactic after delaying tactic used to frustrate this legitimate process. This is a scandalous cover up and nothing less," said Mazibuko.
She said in doing so, the "ANC fundamentally undermined the Speaker, who convened the committee."
The ANC said in a statement on Monday that it agrees with decision by the ad-hoc committee, saying that "attempting to hastily process such an important matter of huge public interest within the few remaining days before the fourth Parliament rises in terms of the Constitution would not be in the interest of quality, fairness and justice."
"Parliament has a responsibility to conduct its work thoroughly, professionally, transparently and openly to ensure that the outcome of its processes are of highest quality, integrity and enjoy the confidence of the people it represents," said ANC chief whip, Stone Sizani.
He said "the DA's insistence that Parliament rushes this matter within the shortest time available ahead of the 7 May election is certainly not in the interest of Parliament's constitutional obligations, but in the narrow interest of a misguided electioneering."
The ad hoc committee, established by National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu, was set to investigate submissions made by Zuma in response to a damning report by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.
Madonsela found Zuma and his family had unduly benefited from security upgrades to his Nkandla residence to the value of R246m.
