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The DA is extremely concerned about Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA’s) decision to grant government early exclusive access to the 2011 census results, effectively stonewalling the media, opposition and civil society from informed comment on the upcoming medium term budget policy statement (MTBPS).

The announcement of the census results was originally scheduled for 10 October. Stats SA has since announced a delay in the release.

The DA finds it curious that Stats SA would delay the releasing of the results by 20 days, only to then grant government privileged access before the scheduled date. The upshot of this move is that government gets to review the 2011 census results whilst all other interested parties are left out of the loop.

Whilst we think it sensible for the census results to be released early, given the importance of evidence based decision-making in the upcoming medium term budget allocations, we are of the belief that the findings should be made available to all South Africans.

It would be a genuine shame if the date shuffling exercise has been orchestrated to preclude the media, opposition parties and civil society from engaging government on an equal footing.  

I will be writing to the Chairperson of the standing committee on finance, Mr Thabadiawa Mufamadi, to request that Stats SA Statistician-general, Pali Lehohla, presents the results of the 2011 census to members of the committee prior to the MTBPS.

We cannot effectively hold government to account when the very same government sees to it that we are left in the dark.