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This is part of OUTA’s strategic plan to protect citizens’ rights, influence government policy and challenge the abuse and waste of government resources. OUTA’s intention is to encourage improved civil society participation on parliamentary matters that affect the manner in which taxes are raised and spent.

“Until now, OUTA has focussed largely on challenging the abuse and waste of taxpayers’ funds by those in authority. However, there is also a need to engage Members of Parliament with our findings, concerns and research related to the projects we are involved in,” says Wayne Duvenage, OUTA Chairperson.

By employing expertise and research capacity in this space, OUTA intends to adopt a more proactive and constructive approach to tackling issues of governance.

“We hope to work with MPs to engage on legislative and oversight issues, improving our understanding of government policies and proactively affecting policy making rather than trying to rectify problems later,” says Duvenage.

Liziwe McDaid is managing OUTA’s Parliamentary Engagement Office in Cape Town and is supported by Matt Johnston who has been part of OUTA’s research team for the past year.

“We will also engage with and consider providing support to other civil action organisations who are seeking to engage Parliament as part of promoting accountable governance,” says Duvenage.

OUTA is a proudly South African non-profit civil action organisation, crowd-funded and supported by ordinary South Africans who are passionate about improving the country by holding government accountable and ensuring that taxes are used efficiently and honestly.

Issued by OUTA