Statistician-General must step aside following Census 2022 crisis

19 September 2024

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by the admission from the Statistician-General, Risenga Maluleke, that StatsSA is in "significant trouble."

Despite efforts to project a "brave face," it is evident that this vital institution sits on the verge of collapse following severe budgetary constraints, staff losses, and mismanagement.

StatsSA’s resources and operations should be removed from the ‘super’ Presidency and the entity must be operationally independent.

The DA calls for Mr Maluleke to step aside from his position, having served from 2017 and overseen Census 2022.

He has demonstrated a lack of transparency and integrity, having failed to be forthright with the country. He consistently misled the public on the integrity of the census. He ignored valid concerns from academics and covered up flaws in Census 2022, which has compromised the credibility of crucial national data.

The Statistician-General has contradicted his own statements. His inconsistency and evasive behaviour has deeply harmed StatsSA, and it is clear that he is no longer fit to lead the institution.

The flawed Census 2022 data is already affecting the equitable share allocations for national government, provincial governments and municipalities. Treasury’s reliance on this disputed data to calculate these allocations poses a serious risk to fair and just distribution of resources.

The DA will continue to hold StatsSA accountable and will not allow unreliable data to jeopardise the future of South Africa’s budgetary allocations and governance.

The Statistician-General must step aside, and StatsSA must be placed under new, competent leadership to rebuild trust in this crucial institution.

South Africa cannot afford to have an unreliable census or flawed data dictating national policy and budgetary decisions.

Issued by Darren Bergman, DA Spokesperson on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, 19 September 2024