EFF statement on unanswered questions by Ministers

30 August 2024

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is dismayed by the lackadaisical attitude that some Ministers of the government of right-wing unity approach their accountability duties to Parliament. Section 55 (2)(a) of the Constitution enjoins the National Assembly to provide mechanisms that will ensure that all executive organs of the State in the national sphere are accountable to the National Assembly.

One of these mechanisms provided for by the National Assembly is the submission of questions for written and oral reply by Members of Parliament, to which Ministers are expected to reply to within 10 working days in terms of Rule 145 of the Rules of the National Assembly.

Since the commencement of the seventh term of Parliament, the EFF has submitted a number of questions on matters that cut across a range of subjects affecting our society. Sadly, not all our questions have been replied to, leaving key constituencies in limbo. In failing to answer these questions timeously, these Ministers are also conducting themselves in a manner that violates established Parliament rules and offending key provisions of the Constitution.

To date, there are about 36 questions for written reply submitted by the EFF in both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces which have not been responded to beyond the time period provided for by the Rules of the National Assembly, and those of the National Council of Provinces. The following Ministers have ignored their constitutional duties and ignored Parliament rules by not replying to questions within the time period provided for by the Rules:

A. Minister of Higher Education and Training, Ms. Nobuhle Nkabane has not replied to eight questions from the EFF;

B. Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Angie Motshekga has not replied to 4 questions;

C. Minister of Basic Education, Ms. Siviwe Gwarube has not replied to nine questions;

D. Minister of Police, Mr. Senzo Mchunu has not replied to six questions;

E. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Dean Macpherson has not replied to five questions;

F. Minister in the Presidency, Ms. Khumbudzo Ntsahveni has not replied to one question;

G. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms. Thembi Simelane has not replied to one question;

H. Minister of Social Development, Ms. Sisi Tolashe has not replied to one question; and

l. Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperation, Mr. Parks Tau has not replied to one question.

The EFF takes this dereliction of duty by these members of the executive very seriously, and we have since written to the Speaker of the National Assembly to formally take this matter up with the Leader of Government Business. As can be seen from the list of these lethargic Ministers, it is not only the tired and uninspired Ministers of the ANC who have a disdainful attitude towards accountability, their right-wing partners in the DA are also not bothered.

We will do all we can to hold all of these Ministers to account.

Issued by Leigh-Ann Mathys, National Spokesperson, EFF, 30 August 2024