DA arranges for Dep. Speaker Beverley Shäfer’s disciplinary appeal to be delayed indefinitely

The deputy speaker of the Western Cape legislature, Beverley Schäfer, found guilty of breaching the code of conduct in 2022, faces further delays as the legislature’s appeals committee has decided to postpone hearings until an unspecified future date. Schäfer, who has held the position of deputy speaker since 2019, had her appeal hearing suspended barely a week into the proceedings.

Members of the appeals committee were notified on the second day of hearings about the postponement, with an email stating, “Please be informed today’s scheduled meeting of the appeals committee has been postponed until further notice.” The new meeting date will be communicated once the chairperson has consulted with the chief whip.

Committee chairperson Andricus van der Westhuizen cited the legislative program as the guiding force behind the committee’s decisions, emphasizing adherence to procedural norms and scheduling constraints during the first quarter of 2024.

The appeals committee, convened for the first time last week after Schäfer’s appeal submission in the previous month, made the controversial decision to conduct closed-door hearings, excluding the media and the public. This decision has faced opposition from various political parties.

Khalid Sayed, the ANC legislature’s deputy chief whip, expressed concerns over the closure, stating, “Firstly, we are concerned about the closing of the appeals committee to both the public and the media. This is against the core provisions of the national Constitution.” He further raised the issue of the prolonged process since 2019, questioning the motives behind potential delays until after the elections.

EFF MPL Aishah Cassiem echoed these sentiments, labeling the postponement as another attempt by the DA to evade accountability. The initial plan to conclude the appeal within the first three days was deemed impractical based on the proceedings’ early stages.

In 2020, an internal investigation revealed that Schäfer continued using a BMW X5, despite being allocated an Audi Q5 by the legislature. The subsequent conduct committee in 2022 found her guilty of breaching the code of conduct, recommending a reprimand, a fine of R17,800, and a seven-day suspension of privileges as deputy speaker.

Schäfer appealed the decision, challenging the conduct committee’s actions and contesting the imposed sanctions, claiming she was not afforded a fair and lawful hearing. The uncertainty surrounding the resumption of hearings adds to the intrigue surrounding this ongoing case involving a prominent figure in Western Cape politics.

‍