The office of the Speaker in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) appreciates the article by Neo Moepi which appeared in yesterday's ‘The New Age’ newspaper. It demonstrates his regrettable level of understanding of the institutions that deepens democracy in executing their mandate.
If the NWPL does not hold the Executive and other organs of state accountable for the public purse, our constitutional democracy will be at stake. Mr Moepi must know that this is not a banana provincial legislature that seeks to protect the narrow interests of a faction. Further he must know that the NWPL represents all citizens of the North West province who elected it. The work of the NWPL is governed by constitutionally sanctioned rules.
Mr Moepi's ignorance on matters of governance is a cause for a concern, seeing that he is employed in a senior position in the Office of the Premier. He needs to understand that the Auditor-General's office is the one that submits a letter to the Speaker's Office to inform the Speaker of all government departments, municipalities and public entities that did not submit their financial statements.
A letter dated 20 June 2012, was submitted by the AG's office stating all those that did not submit, the North West Provincial Council on AIDS was included there. If Mr Moepi had a different view on their submission, as a senior official he should know where to go to verify the information rather than exposing his ignorance on governance related issues in newspapers.
The Office of the Speaker wants to assure members of the Portfolio Committees and the public that these threats are not taken lightly and the police have been requested to investigate the threats and make a security risk assessment of members in order to ensure their safety as they continue with their constitutional mandate.
The Office of the Speaker received the information on these threats on 7 March 2013 and on the same day police were requested to investigate and assess. The good work of the NWPL Portfolio Committees will not be derailed by any negative comments which lack insight on matters of national interests. We shall soldier on.
