DA again writes to Minister Tau over ongoing maladministration at SABS

27 August 2024

At the start of this Parliament, the DA offered to be a helping hand to Minister Parks Tau in cleaning up shop within the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to revitalise our economy. Minister Tau has thus far disappointed, as reports of ongoing maladministration and corruption at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) have fallen on deaf ears.

I wrote to Tau on 6 August urging him to attend to the allegations which appeared to emanate from within SABS itself. I have yet to hear from Tau, nor has his office acknowledged receipt. In addition, I have submitted a series of Parliamentary Questions to him on SABS, which have yet to answered.

I have sent a second letter to Tau, as in addition to his lack of responses, flurries of whistleblower complaints have continued to come to light. When questioned in Committee last week on these complaints, the acting CEO could not provide discernible answers. Given all this obscurity, I once again implore Minister Tau to take necessary actions, including a forensic investigation and placing SABS under administration once again if need be.

The continuing instability at SABS, a crucial institution at the heart of South Africa's economy, demands urgent attention. Our economy and people deserve no less.

Issued by Toby Chance, DA Spokesperson on Trade, Industry and Competition, 27 August 2024