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Minister Siyabonga Cwele and the Telecommunications and Postal Services department have been accused of “undermining” Parliament by repeatedly snubbing the portfolio committee on broadband rollout.
Expressing her frustration, portfolio committee chair Mmamoloko Kubayi said that the department’s decision to not attend a meeting scheduled for yesterday followed three earlier attempts over the past year.
“Each time a request to postpone the meeting was received by the committee,” she said in a statement issued after being forced to cancel the meeting.
“It is extremely disappointing that this meeting did not take place, especially considering the importance of this process in ensuring internet connectivity to all South Africans. The committee views this decision as undermining the oversight role of the committee and Parliament as enshrined in the Constitution,” she said.
According to the committee, a programme with dates and agenda was sent to the department before Parliament closed last year and no objection was recorded. A letter requesting postponement was received late last week but was rejected by the chairperson, who deemed it too late to postpone the meeting.
The “disappointed and surprised” committee has now asked Parliament’s presiding officers to intervene.
Queries sent to Cwele’s spokesperson yesterday morning had not been responded to at the time of going to press.
The government is battling to meet its commitments for broadband rollout, with President Jacob Zuma expected to update the country about its plans during his State of the Nation Address on February 11.
In his address last year Zuma said broadband rollout was listed in the nine-point plan to ignite growth and create jobs. In the first phase of the plan for 2015, he committed to connect offices in 8 district municipalities.
But in a recent written parliamentary reply, Cwele said that funding for Phase One and Phase Two of the SA Connect programme was still being determined. This needed to take place before a lead entity was appointed, he said.
