The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has received correspondence from the Chairperson of the Independent Panel of Experts conducting preliminary assessment of a motion tabled in accordance with Section 89 of the Constitution, Retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, requesting for an extension of the deadline for the submission of report of the Panel. 

In his letter, the Chairperson indicated that the panel had assessed the enquiry process to determine if it will meet the submission deadline of Thursday, 17 November 2022, and had, based on its assessment of the amount of ground still to be covered, and the available resources, determined that the enquiry should be completed within 13 days, that is by 30 November 2022. 

The Panel said the additional time requested was realistic taking into account the importance of the enquiry, its complexity, as well as the novelty of the nature of work involved. 

The Panel believes that it was in the public interest that an enquiry of this nature be scrupulously conducted and all the information and submissions placed before it be carefully considered. 

In considering the request of the Panel, the Speaker was mindful that the current Rules governing the Section 89 process do not provide for extension of deadline for submission of the panel report. 

In this regard, the Speaker has invoked Rule 6 - which deals with unforeseen circumstances - to accede to the Panel's request. 

In terms of this Rule, the Speaker may give a ruling or frame a rule in respect of any eventuality for which the rules or orders of the House do not provide, having due regard to the procedures, precedents, practices and conventions developed by the House and on the basis of constitutional values and principles underpinning an open, accountable and democratic society. 

The Speaker has accordingly extended the deadline on which the Panel will submit its report from 17 November2022 to 30 November 2022. 

The Speaker concurs with the Panel Chairperson that the extreme importance of the Panel's work to the Members of the National Assembly, the President and the People of South Africa required the Panel to carefully consider all the information and submissions placed before it. 

The Speaker has advised the Chief Whips of political parties of her decision this morning.