Parliament needs to rise to the occasion and face head-on the attacks on South Africa’s constitutional democracy, the Democratic Alliance said on Sunday.

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete had officially denied the DA’s request for a debate of public importance on the politicisation of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said.

“This decision demonstrates yet again how the speaker will do everything possible to shield [President] Jacob Zuma from scrutiny and accountability,” he said.

Reports on Sunday detailing how National Director of Public Prosecution (NDPP) Shaun Abrahams met Zuma at African National Congress headquarters Luthuli House a day before initiating flimsy fraud and theft charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan showed just why Mbete’s decision could not go unchallenged.

“Indeed these reports reinforce our contention that the NPA has been captured by Zuma Inc. The DA will submit these latest reports to the speaker as further evidence in support of our request, and will demand that she reconsiders her decision,” Steenhuisen said.

As the elected representatives of the people, Parliament had an obligation to ensure that the Constitution was given effect to and democracy defended.

“We cannot sit idly by and do nothing. The DA wishes to remind Ms Mbete of her constitutional responsibilities as the speaker, and that she represents Parliament, and not Luthuli House, when such vital decisions are taken.

“Parliament must rise to the occasion and face head-on the attacks on our Constitutional democracy. I intend to do everything possible to ensure that this happens,” Steenhuisen said.