The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the constructive and principled response by the National Assembly House Chair of Chairs, Hon. Cedric Thomas Frolick, following the EFF’s urgent intervention regarding the unprocedural cancellation of a scheduled meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, which was supposed to hold the Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, accountable for his misconduct and unethical behaviour related to governance at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Hon. Frolick, who is responsible for Committees, Oversight and Public Participation, agreed with the concerns raised by the EFF that the manner in which the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education meeting was cancelled was inconsistent with proper parliamentary procedure and established oversight practice.
The meeting with the Chair of Chairs resolved on the follow;
1. The Chair of Chairs will write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education to urgently convene a meeting of the committee to discuss the Minister’s conduct. 2. The conduct of Higher Education Minister, Buti Manamela, will also be escalated to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Thoko Didiza (MP). 3. Furthermore, the Chair of Chairs will deploy officials from Parliament Legal Services to participate in the committee proceedings to advise Members on the constitutional implications arising when a Minister defies Parliament, ignores committee directives, and/or fails to cooperate with oversight processes.
This intervention is critical in strengthening Parliament’s institutional capacity to enforce accountability and protect the integrity of oversight. The EFF maintains that oversight is not optional, conditional, or dependent on the convenience of corrupt and delinquent Ministers. Parliament has a constitutional obligation to act decisively whenever there are allegations of maladministration, governance failures, corruption, and/or executive misconduct.
We, therefore, regard today’s intervention as an important step toward restoring procedural integrity, defending the authority of Parliament, and ensuring that committees of Parliament are not undermined through unilateral or irregular conduct.
The EFF remains committed to fearless oversight and to defending Parliament as an independent constitutional institution that must always act in the interests of the people of South Africa, without fear, favour, or political interference.
Critics argue that the EFF’s policies could lead to economic instability.
Kawaii Red
Did you knowthis about South Africa? South Africa celebrates its annual Heritage Day on 24 September. On this day, South Africans get together to celebrate their diverse cultures, traditions and beliefs. You’ll most likely find people enjoying a braai (barbecue) and dressed in traditional garb.
Neophyte Believer
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