Cape Town - The ANC - which is usually quick to defend its MPs when they are attacked by the opposition - has yet to come to National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala's defence after she was allegedly defamed by UDM leader Bantu Holomisa.

Ginwala on Tuesday specifically told the House it was necessary it "examines the allegations about the manner in which the Speaker has carried out the responsibilities entrusted by the Constitution and this House, and determine what action it wishes to take".

Since then the ANC, as the majority party, has not raised the matter in the House in a notice of motion, nor has it apparently discussed the matter at its daily strategy meetings, or at Thursday's weekly caucus meeting.

Matter not discussed

Caucus chairperson Thabang Makwetla confirmed that caucus had not discussed the matter.

He said Ginwala was not at Thursday's meeting, and had not asked him as chairperson to place the matter on the agenda.

However, he denied this meant Ginwala did not have the support of the party, or that African National Congress MPs believed she had erred in her approach.

"We haven't lost sight of the matter."

Asked for comment on the ANC's apparent reluctance to take up Ginwala's call, ANC Chief Whip Tony Yengeni said: "This is a very serious matter which will come before the House after all parties have considered their positions, as well as thoroughly discussed how they should react."

"It is not true to suggest that the ANC is not doing anything. We shall make our position known at the opportune time."

Ginwala, however, has not let up, and has called an informal meeting of the Chief Whips of the various political parties in Parliament on Thursday to discuss the matter.

Democratic Alliance Chief Whip Douglas Gibson confirmed Ginwala had briefed them.

"No decisions were taken ... and everyone expressed their unmandated opinion."

Ginwala was not immediately available for comment.

Richard Calland, a political analyst at Institute for Democracy in South Africa, told Sapa: "She (Ginwala) has raised the issue. By the vehemence of her statement, she is seeking some sort of clarifying vindication."

"The onus in now on Parliament and the majority party to decide how to deal with it."

Dereliction of duty

In an open letter to the media and diplomats on Monday, Holomisa claimed Ginwala's conduct in relation to Parliament and the arms deal investigation involved dereliction of duty.

He accused her of intentionally obstructing the parliamentary processes, stalling the report by Parliament's standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) and improper interference in the committee's function.

He also alleged improper interference in constitutional structures such as the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Public Protector and the office of the Auditor General - the three agencies probing the arms deal.

There were also allegations that she had rejected Scopa's report, and was biased in the way she conducted the business of the House.

With acknowledgment to Sapa and News24.