MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / Minister Patel must address governance crisis in Trade and Industry institutions

Minister Patel must address governance crisis in Trade and Industry institutions

Dear Editor

On January 2, 2024, I submitted a written question to the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC), Ebrahim Patel, seeking clarification on critical governance issues within Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Metrology institutions under his jurisdiction.

The questions raised pertained to the status of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), the presence of acting CEOs, the advertising of vacant CEO positions, and the production of CEO shortlists within these institutions. Minister Patel’s response failed to adequately address these concerns. Instead, he vaguely mentioned consultations with the National Treasury to explore cost reduction measures and potential mergers, offering no concrete timelines or public processes. See the question and reply here.

Regrettably, Minister Patel’s inaction has precipitated a governance crisis within these institutions. As disclosed in yesterday’s Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, and Competition, two vacancies on the Board of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) remain unfilled. This negligence has left these entities operating without full-time accounting officers and board members, imperiling their effectiveness and integrity.

It was only after persistent pressure from the DA that Minister Patel took steps to appoint board members to the SABS, lifting it out of administration. However, the presentation provided by the SABS in Parliament highlighted concerning staff vacancies and unfilled positions, indicative of an incomplete organisational review.

Of particular concern was the presentation of a net profit of R47 million for Quarter One, primarily attributed to savings on staff costs (i.e., staff vacancies), significant reductions in expenditure, and fortuitous gains in financial income. This raises questions about the sustainability and transparency of the institutions under Minister Patel’s oversight.

The DA seeks clarity from Minister Patel on his plans to address this governance crisis. He must take immediate action to fill vacant CEO positions, appoint board members, and ensure the effective functioning of these vital institutions. Failure to do so risks further erosion of public trust and undermines the integrity of South Africa’s standards and quality assurance mechanisms.

We await Minister Patel’s response and urge him to prioritise the stability and accountability of these institutions for the betterment of all South Africans

Regards

Darren Bergman MP
DA Shadow Deputy of Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Older Persons Grants Land Today — No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, Older Persons grants are paid today, 30 October, under SASSA’s revised November payment schedule — with disability grants on Monday 2 November, children’s grants on Tuesday 3 November, and grants under review on Thursday 5 November. Two things every beneficiary should know. First, grant money does not expire on payment day. It stays…

  • November Grants Pay Early – No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. November grants pay earlier than usual. Older Persons grants are paid on Friday 30 October, Disability grants on 2 November, and Child Support and other grants on 3 November. Grants still under review are paid on 5 November. The money…

  • NSFAS 2027 applications close on 31 October — SASSA households, apply now

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year close on Friday 31 October 2026, and no extension is expected. If your household receives a SASSA grant, your child already passes the NSFAS financial eligibility test — but they still have to…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I cannot see a comment section underneath a page on MyZA that I really find benefit from – https://myza.co.za/sa-news-headlines/ – so wanted to post a thank you here under this article if you do not mind at all. Iff my thank you is not appropriate please do delete, I will not be offended.