Public Accounts Committee statement on absence of MEC’s for the scheduled financial performance hearings

The Gauteng Legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) postponed its public hearing scheduled for today (Wednesday, 09th November 2022) due to the absence of the invited Members of the Executive Council (MECs). The public hearings were set to assess the financial performance of the Gauteng Department of Health; Gauteng Department of Human Settlements; and Gauteng Department of Transport & Logistics.

SCOPA received apologies this morning from MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko (Health and Wellness), MEC Lebogang Maile (Human Settlements), as well as MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela (Transport and Logistics).

The Committee is concerned that firstly, the invitation to the public Hearings addressed to the MEC’s were sent over two weeks ago, however the apologies were only sent to SCOPA on the day of the meeting. Secondly, the responsibility to account to the Legislature and its Committees on the performance of the Departments lies with the MEC’s and therefore SCOPA could not conduct the public hearings with the Departments’ officials who were present – in the absence of the MEC’s.

As a result, SCOPA has resolved to invoke the Legislature rule to institute a process to subpoena the MEC’s for the hearing to be conducted later this month. This is an attempt by the Committee to ensure the MEC’s attend the next Hearings.

SCOPA Chairperson Sochayile Khanyile said “The Committee has resolved to refer the expenses incurred for the postponed public hearings for reimbursement by the affected Departments”.

Members of SCOPA are displeased that the Hearings could not take place as scheduled. They plead with MEC’s to prioritize compliance with requirements of oversight work of the Legislature and its Committees. Oversight is an effective mechanism for the Legislature and the Executive to account to the citizens of Gauteng on the work they do towards improving their lives. 

Chairperson Khanyile on behalf of the Committee, sends his sincerest apologies for the postponement of the Hearing to the people of Gauteng and all other stakeholders who physically and virtually participated. SCOPA will communicate details of the next public hearing in due course.

Source: Government of South Africa