DA parliamentary leader George Michalakis says the action by government officials who attend ANC study groups was a serious violation of the principle of separation of party and state.
At least four ministers have confirmed that several of their departmental officials have been attending ANC study groups to brief them about topics for portfolio committees meetings and also explain technical issues.
This was revealed in parliamentary responses posed by the DA amid reports that the ANC continued with the practice of inviting top government officials to their study group meetings contrary to the Constitution and the Code of Conduct for the public service.
DA parliamentary leader George Michalakis said the action by the officials is a serious violation of the principle of separation of party and state.
“Although the DA understands that public service officials can, in the course of exercising their duties, from time to time provide technical answers in an impartial way, the current status of the ANC's study groups crosses the line, using it as a tool to drive a political agenda and include such officials in political discussions,” Michalakis said.
