Some opposition parties in parliament who are not part of the Government of National Unity (GNU) want an oversight committee to be established to scrutinise the activities of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This was a demand made during the sixth Congress government, they said.
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) MP Steve Swart said this would also follow the recommendations of the State Capture Commission led by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
“ACDP supported the call for the establishment of a special parliamentary portfolio committee tasked with oversight of the Presidency, which is in line with one of Chief Justice Zondo's recommendations in the State Takeover Report. Given the birth of the GNU in the 7th Parliament, we believe such oversight needs to be strengthened. The Governor, like other Governors, should regularly report to Parliament on all funds expended in the Presidency.”
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) said it also supported calls for the establishment of a commission to scrutinise President Ramaphosa's activities.
This would strengthen the constitutional obligation to hold the government accountable, they said.
Spokesperson Mkolisi Makhubo elaborated: “African Change Movement, as an organisation that has been instrumental in advocating for accountability and exposing corruption and disregard for the law, particularly as it pertains to the 6th administration, calls for and strongly supports the establishment of an oversight committee to monitor and evaluate the decisions of the South African president. We believe this call is not only timely but essential to the process of our democratic process and the strengthening of our national government.”
Meanwhile, Al-Jama'a argues that there is no need for a separate parliamentary committee to monitor the president. Al-Jama'a leader Ganief Hendrix argues that this is unnecessary given the powers President Ramaphosa has over the various cabinet ministers who report to Parliament.
“Our Constitution gives a lot of power to the President, he can appoint the executive branch consisting of ministers and deputies and he has the final say. Given the enormous powers that the President has under the Constitution, I don't think a parliamentary oversight committee to oversee the work of the President is appropriate. The President also has further powers in that he has the final say in regards to the various committees that are set up to review matters before the Presidential Office.”
