The Economic Freedom Fighters has issued a scathing rebuke of the executive, condemning ministers for their blatant disregard of parliamentary rules requiring them to answer written questions within 10 working days.

EFF spokesperson Thembi Msane called on Deputy President Paul Mashatile to fulfill his duty as the leader of government business and ensure ministers were held accountable for their failures.

“It is clear then that some ministers have no regard for the oversight role played by Parliament and for the importance of answering questions in response to a variety of issues raised by ordinary people through MPs,” Msane said.

According to a report released by Parliament, of the 783 questions that required responses by 20 March, 222 remain unanswered.

Msane stressed on Tuesday that this widespread non-compliance has raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability and the government’s commitment to upholding democratic oversight.

Several ministers have been singled out as the worst offenders, with some failing to answer more than half the questions directed at them.

Among the most egregious cases is Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was asked 74 questions but failed to reply to 47.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana ignored 15 of 30 questions and Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber left 18 of his 27 questions unanswered.

Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe was asked 24 questions but failed to respond to 17, while Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen replied to only six of the 17 questions he received.

Msane said that what was particularly concerning about Steenhuisen’s case was that he has not provided any explanation for his non-compliance nor sought an extension from the Speaker as permitted under parliamentary rules.

The EFF has also accused Steenhuisen of outright dishonesty.

According to Msane, EFF MP Mothusi Montwedi questioned Steenhuisen about his continued use of his Democratic Alliance email address for official government business.

In response, Steenhuisen allegedly denied using this email for government matters.

The EFF has not only condemned individual ministers but has also taken aim at Mashatile, accusing him of being ineffective in enforcing parliamentary accountability.

Mashatile is responsible for ensuring that ministers comply with parliamentary rules and maintain proper engagement with the National Assembly.

“The leader of government business, Deputy President Mashatile, who on paper is meant to keep ministers on the leash in terms of their relations with Parliament, is himself toothless and has no powers to call these ministers to order,” Msane said in a statement.

The party warned that unless Mashatile acted decisively, ministers would continue to ignore their responsibilities, eroding public trust in the government’s ability to function effectively.

The issue of ministers failing to answer parliamentary questions is nothing new. Last year Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni did not answer 18 questions, former defence minister Thandi Modise 17, and former public works and infrastructure minister Sihle Zikalala 17.

The problem is so entrenched that even after repeated warnings and interventions, non-compliance remains rampant.

Late last year, Mashatile himself issued an ultimatum to ministers to address their outstanding questions, but many have continued to ignore their obligations.

To curb this growing trend, Parliament has considered imposing stricter measures, including financial penalties and public reprimands.

Some opposition parties, including the DA, have proposed docking a portion of ministers’ salaries if they fail to comply with parliamentary rules.

The EFF, for its part, has vowed to take a firm stand, not just by demanding responses but also by holding ministers accountable for the accuracy of their answers.

The party has already reported Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee for allegedly lying in her responses.

It now warns that it will take similar action against other ministers found to be dishonest.

INSIDE POLITICS

The post EFF slams ministers for failing to answer parliamentary questions appeared first on Inside Politic.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has announced a notable decline in crime rates for the third quarter, highlighting positive progress in national security efforts.

He attributed the decrease to enhanced law enforcement strategies, community cooperation and targeted crime prevention initiatives. The latest statistics reflect a promising shift toward a safer society.

“The statistics we present today show a significant shift in our national crime landscape. Encouragingly, we have observed an overall decrease in several categories of crime. When compared to the same period in the previous year,” said Mchunu.

Addressing the media on Friday, Mchunu said murder had declined by 9.8% and rape by 3.3%.

Attempted sexual offences fell by 3.2%, and the was a decrease hijackings and robberies, at both residential and commercial properties.

“We have also registered a 4.5% reduction in stock theft, which is a welcome relief for farmers, communities and the agricultural sector as a whole. This positive shift highlights the importance of continued collaboration between law enforcement, local leaders and communities to safeguard this vital industry,” he added.

All provinces reported a decline in murder cases, marking a major achievement in crime reduction. However, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal remain the highest contributors, accounting for 25.0% and 21.4%, followed by the Eastern Cape at 18.9% and the Western Cape at 17.4%.

Rape cases have risen in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Free State, while other provinces saw declines. Mchunu said that this highlighted the ongoing challenge of gender-based violence, emphasising the urgent need for strengthened interventions and continued efforts to protect vulnerable individuals.

Major-General Thulare Sekhukhune stated that this marked the most significant decline in murder cases since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, making it the highest decrease recorded across all quarters since the end of pandemic-related limitations.

“We have managed to reduce the murders by 757, sexual offences 311, attempted murders by reduced by 261, common robbery by 796, robbery with aggravating circumstances by 530,” said Sekhukhune.

Burglaries at non-residential properties dropped by 19.0%, while residential break-ins declined by 12.3%. Motor vehicle and motorcycle theft fell by 18.3%, and overall property-related crimes saw a 13.5% reduction.

Despite the overall decline in crime, there has been a significant nationwide rise in common assault cases. This increase highlights ongoing challenges in addressing interpersonal violence and the need for enhanced community interventions and law enforcement strategies to curb such incidents.

Mchunu commended police efforts and crime prevention strategies as key factors in reducing crime rates. He emphasised that proactive law enforcement measures and targeted interventions have played a crucial role in improving public safety and curbing criminal activities.

“These reductions indicate that the strategies and interventions we have implemented are yielding results. Our Safer Festive Season initiative, launched in October 2024, has played a significant role in the recorded crime reductions,” he said.

Mchunu stressed that combating crime was not solely the responsibility of law enforcement. He highlighted the need for active involvement from communities, the private sector and other key stakeholders to create a safer and more secure society.

“We are enhancing our collaboration with the private sector and civil society to strengthen crime prevention measures and improve public safety. We appeal to communities to work hand in hand with law enforcement,” he added.

To effectively tackle crime, the police have identified several crucial areas for improvement, including enhancing technology, strengthening crime intelligence, boosting detective services’ efficiency, improving forensic capabilities and creating a better work environment for officers.

The government has praised the significant drop, highlighting it as a sign of progress. This decline reflects the effectiveness of ongoing crime prevention strategies and the dedication of SAPS in their efforts to reduce crime.

Acting GCIS director-general, Nomonde Mnukwa, said: “The significant reduction in crime is a testament to the exceptional efforts of the men and women in blue, whose dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all South Africans is unwavering. This achievement also reflects the power of collaboration between communities and their local police.”

She said that the consistent application of crime prevention measures would further strengthen efforts to build safer communities.

“We extend our gratitude to our law enforcement officers for their tireless work in driving down crime rates. Their commitment to protecting South Africans is deeply valued and does not go unnoticed.”

INSIDE POLITICS

The post Murder rate drops the most since Covid-19 lockdown appeared first on Inside Politic.