EFF demands disciplinary action against Ministers Motshekga and Godongwana for parliamentary absences
Urgent call for accountability: EFF's letter to Parliament regarding defence and finance ministers
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Media
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for urgent disciplinary measures against Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga and Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana.
This, over the repeated failure of Motshekga and Godongwana to attend parliamentary committee meetings crucial for overseeing South Africa’s defence and military expenditures, the party said.
Nontando Nolutshungu, EFF National Chairperson and Parliamentary Chief Whip, raised the party’s concerns in a letter sent to the Speaker on Monday.
The letter highlights what the EFF terms a "pattern of disregard" by Ministers Motshekga and Godongwana towards their constitutional and parliamentary obligations.
"The EFF writes to raise grave concern about the conduct of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Hon. Angie Motshekga, and the Minister of Finance, Hon. Enoch Godongwana, in relation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans," Nolutshungu stated.
The letter details the deterioration of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), with both ministers’ roles being critical in addressing defence funding, operational capacity, and cost-of-employment reforms.
It stated that the SANDF continues to grapple with historical over-expenditure, an ageing force, and declining readiness, challenges acknowledged publicly by Minister Motshekga herself.
"The state of South Africa’s defence is in crisis. Even Minister Motshekga has admitted publicly that the defence force is in a shocking state," Nolutshungu wrote.
"Senior members of the SANDF have acknowledged that the National Treasury has been a stumbling block in resolving urgent matters of rejuvenation, funding, and operational capacity."
Despite the urgency, the letter added that Minister Motshekga and Minister Godongwana declined to attend a critical joint Portfolio Committee meeting of the Defence and Treasury departments, even after repeated reminders and adequate notice.
Nolutshungu said that Motshekga cited overseas travel as the reason for her absence, while Godongwana refused to attend without giving substantial grounds.
"This is not an isolated occurrence. Minister Motshekga has previously failed to attend Portfolio Committee and Joint Standing Committee meetings, forcing committees to repeatedly register their displeasure." Nolutshungu criticised the ministers’ absence as a “pattern of disregard for Parliament’s oversight work.”
The letter highlighted the ministers' constitutional responsibilities towards Parliament, citing Sections 92(2) and (3)(b) of the Constitution, which mandate Cabinet members’ individual and collective accountability to Parliament, as well as parliamentary rules empowering committees to scrutinise executive organs.
The EFF requested that the Speaker formally address the issue with the Leader of Government Business, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and ask that he ensure the ministers are disciplined.
The party also called for transparent communication by publishing correspondence and responses in the Announcements, Tablings, and Committee Reports (ATC).
"Ministers cannot be permitted to ignore Parliament’s authority while the SANDF collapses into dysfunction," the letter warns.
"Parliament cannot allow this pattern of executive disregard to persist. It undermines the separation of powers, weakens democratic accountability, and leaves our nation’s defence unprotected."
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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