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We have today been informed that Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde and National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele will not be appearing before the Joint Portfolio Committee to account for their role in the SAPS lease scandal on Monday as scheduled.

According to a memo sent to all members of the Portfolio Committee, the meeting – to which the Public Protector was also invited – has been “postponed until further notice”. This is the third time that the Minister of Public Works has failed to appear before Parliament to explain herself on this issue.

It is now clear that the establishment of the Joint Portfolio Committee was not motivated by a desire to hold the Minister and the Police Commissioner to account. It was set up so that President Zuma could delay acting on the recommendations in the Public Protector’s report.

These delaying tactics fool nobody. The President needs to show South Africa that he has the courage to act against corruption in his government. He must take action against Minister Mahlangu-Nkabinde and General Cele without any further delay.