It was interesting to read the judgment handed down by the constitutional court in the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) matter. What was noteworthy was that the court held social development minister Bathabile Dlamini personally accountable and then set in place a programme of mandatory reporting back to the court on progress of the remedial action. Additionally, Cash Paymaster Services was ordered to provide full financial disclosure. The judgment was widely welcomed, but the big issue being missed here is that this is precisely the type of accountability a properly functioning parliament should have been demanding. When the opposition tried to get Dlamini and her department to account we were stonewalled for more than a year. Dlamini was protected at every stage from rigorous oversight and accountability, and she was shielded by the speaker from answering written and oral questions on the Sassa matter. If parliament were doing its job, there would have been no need for the court ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.