Parly's Committee defends appointment of National Council on GBVF - EWN

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has defended its recommendations to the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Council, saying it believes they have considerable experience, knowledge and skills to carry out their mandate.

This as COSATU registers its objection that the first-of-its-kind council appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday does not include a representative from labour.

However, committee chairperson Liezl van der Merwe said the committee went beyond minimal constitutional requirements and recommended those it thought most suitable to the president.

From over 400 applications, the portfolio committee says only a few were from formal business organisations.

It shortlisted 18 candidates who represented civil society and the private sector.

Van der Merwe said the committee sought legal advice in response to COSATU's complaint and other negative publicity about the process.