By Akani Nkuna
The Economic Freedom Fighters has thrown its weight behind the establishment of an oversight portfolio committee for the Presidency, with the task of reinforcing parliamentary checks and balances.
EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said on Friday that “this decision, supported by a majority of political parties in the committee – except for the ANC and the IFP – will strengthen Parliament’s mechanism to hold the executive accountable, particularly the president”.
The Democratic Alliance led the proposals in Parliament suggesting the creation of standalone presidential oversight committee and introducing the interpellations, with rule development delegated to the sub-committee.
DA chief whip George Michalakis said: “These new rules will ensure that the president and the Department of the Presidency is accountable in full, and not only through occasional oral questions and functions delegated to other members of the executive.”
The director-general in the Presidency is currently the only DG in the country that does not have to answer to a parliamentary committee, and the DA asserts that it presents a significant gap in accountability.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expanded the number of ministers when he assumed office in 2018, thereby increasing the functions and portfolios under its preview.
The EFF believes the increase in personnel increases the chances of incompetence and maladministration, and the establishment of the committee will counter that.
“[The portfolio committee] will leave little to no room for ministers to appear in the House with poorly prepared responses or to offer vague and incompetent answers to members’ statements and questions,” said Mathys.
The EFF also expressed its concern that Parliament lacked permanent structures with which to conduct oversight of commissions, funds, councils, initiatives, programmes, summits and task forces operating parallel with it, which Ramaphosa has set up since assuming office.
As a result, the EFF asserts that it is not sufficient nor sustainable that there is multiplication of initiatives and programmes whilst there is little investment in ensuring productivity and delicate oversight.
“The EFF has consistently called for a permanent portfolio committee with a dedicated mandate to hold the President accountable and oversee all commissions, councils, funds, initiatives, programmes, and related structures to ensure they are answerable to Parliament,” Mathys added.
Additionally, the EFF noted with dismay that despite the president taking over the school sanitation programme in the Eastern Cape, schools were still relying on pit toilets which has tragically led to the deaths of two children.
INSIDE POITICS
