The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation has called on government departments and state-owned entities to place great value on the engagement they have with Parliamentary Committees.
This is important to ensure that this fifth Parliament delivers on the promise of a better life for the people of South Africa. This call comes after the Committee’s unhappiness with the Public Service Commission (PSC), which failed to submit necessary documentation for its engagement with the Committee on time.
It is standard practice that government departments and state-owned entities submit the necessary documentation approximately two days before the meeting with Parliament Committees to enable the Committee to engage meaningfully with the entity. “It is within this context that the Committee feels undermined by the Commission. It is worrying that an institution that is supposed to ensure compliance by government departments is itself failing to comply with a Parliamentary Committee,” said Peace Mabe, Chairperson of the Committee.
A conducive working relationship between government departments and Parliament is necessary to ensure that the people of South Africa receive necessary services. Furthermore, this relationship enables Parliament to effectively hold departments to account. Thus it is worrying that the PSC seems to be undermining both the Committee and this necessary working relationship. The Committee has therefore decided not to accept the presentation by the PSC because members could not engage meaningfully and add necessary input.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson:
Malatswa Evans Molepo
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403-8438
Cell: 073 297 1914
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
