Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu is walking a tightrope when it comes to accountability before parliament. The cabinet member has failed to appear before parliament several times, resulting in a summons to have her appear.
The constitution empowers parliament, and only parliament, to hold members of the executive and their respective departments to account for how public funds are spent and the implementation of policy. All MPs are called on to uphold the constitution, as are cabinet members when sworn in.
This enjoins Sisulu to make herself available to appear before parliament’s committee on tourism and any others who may want to get to grips with what is going on in her department. According to DA MP Manie de Freitas, Sisulu has also not submitted an apology of explanation for her non-attendance.
It’s not Sisulu’s first round as minister. She is, in fact, one of the longest serving members of cabinet, suggesting she should have a clear understanding of parliament’s oversight role in the work of the executive. She is also a senior member of the ruling party, and one would imagine she would lead by example. Parliament has previously been accused of being too soft on the executive by not calling on the relevant people to account or accepting excuses for non-attendance. Its committees appear to have improved in this regard, with MPs recently being critical of higher education minister Blade Nzimande for also being a no-show.
Much of the country’s image is promoted through the tourism department she leads, while her portfolio also includes various support mechanisms for small to medium-scale players in the tourism sector.
Sisulu’s response to the summons appears to exhibit contempt for parliament, saying via her spokesperson that she “respects the portfolio committee in its role as an extension of parliament to exercise oversight” while not explaining why she’s not made herself available. Instead, she has decided to take legal advice and is challenging the summons. Sisulu’s stance seems to suggest she does not believe the need to appear in parliament to account, despite her respect for the institution.
Sisulu’s portfolio of tourism might seem less flashy than her previous role in defence and housing, but the country’s tourism department has a key role to play in job creation. Much of the country’s image is promoted through the tourism department she leads, while her portfolio also includes various support mechanisms for small to medium-scale players in the tourism sector. Treasury has made R7.6bn available over the next three years to her department, and the primary way for her department to account for the use of these funds and alignment of its programmes to the Tourism Act and other policies, is by availing itself to parliament. Primarily, the industry and citizens are the ones who will suffer if Sisulu and her department do not account effectively.
She should stop playing games and appear before parliament to give true effect to her respect for this key institution.
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.