The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Following reports that the National Commissioner for Correctional Services Ms Xoliswa Sibeko, among other public officials, had been using public funds to stay in rented property, despite having an official residence available to her, the minister acted to suspend the commissioner and undertook to finalise the matter by 1 September and report back to the portfolio committee. As of today and without explanation she has failed to do so. I will thus write to the committee chairperson, Mr Vincent Smith, and ask him to place this matter on the agenda, for when the committee meets this coming Tuesday (8 September). Public accountability is defined by two principles: that actions are transparent (that is, that their reasoning is explained to the public) and that, where appropriate, indiscretion is met by consequence. The one cannot exist without the other. Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is to be commended for taking strong initial action against the commissioner but, ultimately, that action will either stand-up or fall by what action she takes to finalise the matter. The suspended commissioner and, indeed, the relevant officials in the department, owe the South African public an explanation for their actions, and the portfolio committee is the mechanism through which she must be held to account. It is my hope that the failure of the minister to report back to the committee is merely an oversight and the issue will be given our full and proper attention on Tuesday. Against this backdrop are the two green papers - on the National Planning Commission and the Monitoring and Evaluation Units in the Presidency - both make repeated commitments to increasing oversight and accountability. The fact that, at the most basic level, this kind of crucial accountability is not taking place, suggests this task represents a far bigger commitment than just from the Presidency; indeed, every institution and department needs to be committed to exactly the same thing. The minister now has a good chance to use the portfolio committee to set the appropriate standard.