Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane will field questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly from next Tuesday, after Speaker Tlohang Sekhamane ruled this week that he must appear.
The ruling follows long-standing complaints from legislators that the Prime Minister has avoided answering to the House. Attention will also turn to Parliament next week as MPs and the public await an update on government policy and on bread-and-butter issues.
Government has made pronouncements on some issues, but Matekane has not updated the House on them or been questioned by lawmakers on whether his government can deliver. The Speaker indicated that the Prime Minister will answer questions already submitted by MPs.
The development was welcomed by legislators, although Leader of the Opposition Mathibeli Mokhothu asked the Speaker to clarify what kind of questions MPs will be allowed to put to the Prime Minister.
Under the amended rules, Section 27 of the Standing Orders sets aside up to one hour on the first Tuesday of each month for questions to the Prime Minister. Parties that wish to submit questions must send them, with the names of participating MPs, through their whip or leader at least five days in advance.
Sekhamane had undertaken to ensure that the Prime Minister appears before the House and responds to MPs’ questions, an undertaking he has now effectively fulfilled.
Earlier this week, parliamentarians were up in arms over Matekane’s continued absence, which they described as a ploy to help him evade accountability. They complained that he has not answered a single MP’s question in the House since assuming office in October 2022.
The frustration prompted Mpulule Political Summit leader and opposition MP Remaketse Sehlabaka to file a motion seeking to compel the Prime Minister to answer MPs’ questions.
Opposition MP Machesetsa Mofomobe said legislators have submitted several written questions to the Prime Minister that were never answered. He also accused those who “facilitated” the Prime Minister’s absence from the House.
When Sehlabaka tried to revive the issue, Minister of Energy Lejone Mpotjoane rose on a point of order before he could present his arguments, saying the matter had already been decided and the opposition had lost the vote. Sehlabaka also accused the House of complicity when the Prime Minister “violates” the law.
Matlakeng legislator Dr Mahali Phamotse took a swipe at Matekane, saying he makes promises only at rallies and never addresses Parliament. She suggested this makes it difficult to hold him accountable.
Prof Nqosa Mahao challenged the Speaker to honour his promise to call the Prime Minister to the House, saying the nation is now “cynical”. He said Parliament should be firm and hold everyone accountable.
This is not the first attempt to bring the Prime Minister before the House. Motlatsi Maqelepo, now a Minister, once moved a motion calling for the Prime Minister to appear and be questioned, so that he could account to the House and keep the nation informed on national developments and government interventions on critical issues such as the high crime rate and youth unemployment. The motion was defeated when the opposition lost the vote to the majority.
Even when questions are directed to Matekane, they are usually answered by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office or another Minister he designates. In his four years in office, the Prime Minister has spoken in the House on only three occasions, and each time only to second the passing of the budget.
Summary
- When Sehlabaka tried to revive the issue, Minister of Energy Lejone Mpotjoane rose on a point of order before he could present his arguments, saying the matter had already been decided and the opposition had lost the vote.
- Motlatsi Maqelepo, now a Minister, once moved a motion calling for the Prime Minister to appear and be questioned, so that he could account to the House and keep the nation informed on national developments and government interventions on critical issues such as the high crime rate and youth unemployment.
- In his four years in office, the Prime Minister has spoken in the House on only three occasions, and each time only to second the passing of the budget.
Thoboloko Ntšonyane is a dedicated journalist who has contributed to various publications. He reports on accountability, human rights, exposes corruption and wrong doing by those in power. He reports have exposed corruption, abuse of power, fraud, misconduct and negligence. He subscribes to evidence-based reporting. He reports on governance, parliament, courts, climate change, human rights, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), health, business and agriculture. He gives a voice to the marginalised while also demanding accountability. His work inspires change, triggers dialogue and also promote transparency in a society.
