Opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday requested the immediate removal of African National Congress (ANC) MP Bongani Bongo as the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee chairperson, stating that it was “unthinkable” for him to remain in the role following his arrest.

The Hawks arrested Bongo on Tuesday in relation to corruption charges.

The DA wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise urging that he be removed him pending the outcomes of his criminal cases.

“It is unthinkable that a Member of Parliament who has been arrested by the Hawks and implicated numerous times during the Zondo Commission can remain a portfolio chairperson,” said DA Chief Whip Natasha Mazzone

She questioned government’s efforts to root out corruption and called on Parliament to show South Africans that those implicated in corruption will be dealt with.

“Bongo’s continued presence as chairperson will only cast a cloud over the integrity of the work of the Home Affairs committee as well as the work of Parliament in holding the executive and public office bearers to account and in upholding the rule of law and the Constitution in South Africa,” she added.

Mazzone said the party also requested that Bongo be immediately removed as a chairperson of any of the public participation hearings on land expropriation taking place across the country.