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.

The DA has requested Parliament to convene a meeting to review the results of Census 2011.

In light of questions raised in the media about the credibility of the survey, and particularly the 14,6% undercount, I have today written to the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance to request that he summon Minister Trevor Manuel, StatsSA and the Statistics Council to Parliament to reassure the South African public that the census results are reliable.

Several experts involved in the census have spoken out about their concerns regarding the quality of the census data. In particular they have expressed concerns that consultants contracted to review the data were not given sufficient time to do so. They have also questioned the integrity of demographic data relating to population figures by cohort as well as provincial population figures.

Furthermore, despite assurances that the undercount would come in below 10% this year, and the allocation of additional funding to improve the situation from Census 2001, StatsSA still failed to count 14,6% of the South African population.

I have requested that the demographers who have raised concerns around the data also be invited to the meeting. Given that the census results will inform future budget allocations, we have to assure South Africa that the data and methodologies used are unimpeachable.