SASSA debacle: Dlamini was an evasive and obstructive witness, inquiry hears
19 March 2018
Johannesburg - Former social development minister Bathabile Dlamini was an evasive and obstructive witness during an inquiry into whether she should be held personally liable for the costs incurred during the SASSA payments crisis, the inquiry heard on Monday.
During his closing argument at the Office of the Chief Justice in Midrand, Geoff Budlender - for Black Sash - argued that Dlamini's approach to the inquiry was not befitting of an accountable minister.
Dlamini had faced four days of cross-examination in January where she was reprimanded by the chair of the inquiry, retired judge Bernard Ngoepe, for avoiding questions.
The Constitutional Court ordered last year that an inquiry be held to investigate whether she should be held personally liable for the costs.