Friday, 12 May 2017 – This afternoon's walkout from the meeting of the strategic planning workshop of the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament by the Democratic Alliance (DA) Chief Whip and his Deputy is regrettable and unacceptable. The committee was set up in line with the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act to conduct oversight over the financial management of Parliament.
The two DA representatives walked out, ostensibly, because the National Assembly Speaker, Ms Baleka Mbete, did not remain at the meeting for the duration of their expectation. The agenda of the committee and the invitation extended to the Speaker expressly specified that she was allocated only 30 minutes to make a presentation to the committee. The Speaker accordingly attended and made a presentation to the committee's workshop in line with the allocated time and left to attend to other prearranged parliamentary commitments. The Speaker's attendance of the committee workshop follows that of the Secretary to Parliament last night, when he presented a comprehensive account of the work of Parliament and engaged with committee members on a wide range of issues.
Parliament wishes to reaffirm that the Presiding Officers of Parliament remain committed to assisting the committee in its mandate of holding the administration of Parliament accountable and to furnishing the committee with necessary information it might require.
In this regard, the walkout by the DA representatives was unnecessary and unfortunate and seeks to manufacture outrage where none exists.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
Arrange a tour