Parliament once again failing its oversight function in CaseLines-contract
22 June 2022
The rejection of the DA’s urgent request to convene the Portfolio Committee of Justice and Constitutional Development to discuss allegations of corruption and tender irregularities in the CaseLines-contract at the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ), as well as the developments surrounding the Phala Phala debacle, is deeply disappointing. It appears Parliament is once more failing to take its important oversight function seriously.
Today we have learnt that our request was rejected on the grounds that approval will only be given to meetings that are under a court deadline.
The South African public cannot be expected to wait almost two months for Parliament to reconvene next term, before these important matters are addressed.
On the eve of the release of the fifth part of the State Capture Report, which is widely expected to address the failing of Parliament to hold the Executive to account during the Zuma era, it is shocking that this sword is hanging over the OCJ without proper interrogation by the committee.