The Democratic Alliance on Friday said it was disappointed the African National Congress has insisted on appointing an ANC chairman for the watchdog public accounts committee in the Gauteng provincial legislature.

"In Parliaments around the world, this committee is traditionally chaired by a member of the official opposition," DA Gauteng chief whip Jack Bloom said in a statement.

"This has been disregarded both nationally and provincially by the ANC. In Gauteng, this committee was previously chaired by Sibongile Nkomo of the IFP." The DA's proposal that Hermene Koorts chair the committee had been disregarded by the ANC, which had appointed its own nominee, Mike Seloane, he said.

This showed the ANC wanted to control the agenda of a key oversight committee.

This was a step back in the development of democracy, and disrespect for the DA's status as official opposition.

"Our two members on the public accounts committee are highly qualified and will carefully scrutinise all expenditure to ensure that there is no waste or corruption," Bloom said. - Sapa