Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Deputy Minister, Ms Bernice Swarts, has extended an apology to the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure following reports that the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) Chairperson Prof Refilwe Buthelezi and CEO Dr Bridget Ssamula snubbed the Portfolio Committee meeting.
‘As the parent institution of these entities we have a lot of discomfort and we are embarrassed by the alleged conduct. We take exception to how the Portfolio Committee was informed about their absence’, said Deputy Minister Swarts.
The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure registered its unhappiness after Prof Buthelezi allegedly informed them, via email, of her and Dr Ssamula’s unavailability of a planned committee meeting five minutes after the meeting started.
‘We wish to re-emphasise yet again that we respect the Portfolio Committee in its role as an extension of Parliament to exercise oversight. We reiterate our principled view that oversight and accountability forms the bedrock of South Africa’s constitutional democracy. In line with this, we will never allow any contempt of Parliamentary structures and systems’, said the Deputy Minister.
For more information contact:
Lennox Mabaso
Head Communications, DPWI
Cell: 082 884 2403
Thami Mchunu
Director Media and Stakeholder Relations
Cell: 079 519 6997
