Media barred from meeting

PARLIAMENTARY correspondents left a meeting of the portfolio committee on water and sanitation under protest yesterday after it was declared in camera for a briefing by law enforcement agencies probing the Water and Sanitation Department, which is in a state of financial collapse.

The closing of the meeting had not, as is required, been announced in advance in parliamentary papers.

While the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association queried the decision with Parliament’s chairperson of chairs, Cedric Frolick, more than a dozen members of the parliamentary protection services went to the meeting. Committee chairperson Lulu Johnson said they had secured permission to close the meeting last week, but because of an oversight, this had not been announced. “It was signed off by Mr Frolick,” he said.

Opposition MPs said they were unaware of the decision.

The Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks said they would be unable to divulge “the granularity” of their ongoing probes, while the National Prosecuting Authority said there was a risk the sub judice rule would be flouted.

The department is under investigation for maladministration and unlawful spending. The standing committee on public accounts has pointed a finger at former water minister Nomvula Mokonyane. |