Pallo Jordan’s resignation from Parliament was in the best interests of the National Assembly, the ANC, and himself, the DA said on Tuesday.

“This must have been a difficult decision. We respect his choice to take responsibility for his actions,” Democratic Alliance chief whip John Steenhuisen said in a statement.

“There are many other individuals in Parliament who have disgraced themselves much more seriously, who have chosen to avoid accountability at all costs.”

While the DA could not condone Jordan’s dishonesty regarding his academic qualifications, they acknowledged his contribution to the political discourse in South Africa.

“Indeed, one does not require a doctorate to be able to formulate and debate ideas,” Steenhuisen said.

“We have often disagreed and debated vigorously with Jordan, but we have always done so constructively. In so doing, he has earned the DA’s respect as a public intellectual.”

However disappointing the revelations about his academic qualifications may be, the DA wished Jordan the best in whatever he endeavoured to do next.

On Monday, African National Congress secretary general Gwede Mantashe said in a statement Jordan had resigned from Parliament and apologised to the ANC after reports that his qualifications were false.

Jordan had also offered to resign from the national executive committee (NEC) of the ANC and from the ANC.

“True to his character, he has apologised to the ANC, its membership and South Africa as a whole,” Mantashe said.

“A man of comrade Pallo Jordan’s intellect does not need to perpetuate deceit; he must be given time to deal with his guilt. As the ANC, we have accepted his public apology; to apologise was not an action of the faint-hearted.”

Mantashe said the ANC received a detailed explanation from Jordan on Monday on claims that his qualifications were false.

The ANC national officials had accepted his resignation from Parliament, but his resignation from membership of the NEC and the ANC have been referred to the structures of the organisation, he said.

The Sunday Times reported last week that no evidence could be found that Jordan, who goes by the title “Dr” had ever had an honorary doctorate bestowed on him.

Jordan had no degrees or diplomas from the University of Wisconsin-Madison or the London School of Economics (LSE), the two institutions cited on his CV.

He had no formal tertiary academic qualifications whatsoever, the publication reported. SAPA