The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) was forced to adjourn a crucial hearing scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, after the deputy minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, failed to appear.
This session was intended to address pressing issues on the National Skills Fund (NSF) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), but the minister withdrew at the last minute, opting instead to attend the launch of an academic programme in Johannesburg.
Songezo Zibi, SCOPA chairperson, has expressed deep frustration at the deputy ministers sudden absence.
The non-appearance of the deputy minister is unacceptable. The primary role of the committee and parliament is to hold the executive to account, and the committee is not prepared to entertain late, unjustifiable withdrawals by members of the executive, Zibi said.
He further confirmed that a rescheduled hearing would be announced soon, adding that SCOPA expects either the minister or a senior representative to attend the next session in person.
