The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has described the failure by some Ministers to reply to parliamentary questions, as a lack of accountability.
These following complaints that some Ministers don’t attend parliamentary sittings nor give written replies.
“The EFF takes this dereliction of duty by these members of the executive very seriously.
In the most recent report to the Leader of Government Business on ministerial replies on questions, parliament has noted that since the beginning of the 7th parliament, there have been 1 269 questions submitted for written replies.
Five-hundred and ninety-three of these questions were replied too late, which means beyond the ten days provided for by the rules.
Furthermore, 129 of these questions have not been replied to at all,” read a statement from the party.
They also welcomed the decision by parliament to report the matter to the Leader of Government Business which is responsible for the affairs of the national executive in parliament, and called for those found in violation, to be held accountable.
According to the EFF, most of the MPs who fail to answer questions adequately are members of the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The National Assembly’s rule book affords members an opportunity to answer questions in a form of written replies or orally.
It states that “If the responsible Minister has not within 10 parliamentary working days of the day for which a question has been set down for written reply furnished a reply to the question, the Secretary shall, if the member in whose name the question stands so requests, place the question on the Question Paper for oral reply.’’
While the EFF’s complaints regarding unsatisfactory replies by the executive are nothing new, the party vowed to continue pursuing the matter to ensure that members deliver on their oath of office.
