Meeting with Department of Correctional Services and Independent Development Trust on consultants and outsourcing: postponed

Meeting report

The Chairperson informed the Committee about the letter received from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) the precious day, indicating that it would not attend the meeting. The Department explained that the National Commissioner was with the Minister in the Northern Cape on an outreach programme. The Chairperson had phoned the Minister and insisted that the DCS be present at the meeting. The Department had also informed the CEO of Independent Development Trust (IDT) that the latter were not supposed to attend the meeting. There was some uncertainty about whether the Department and/or the IDT would indeed be present at the meeting.

Mr J Selfe (DA) remarked that the history of the matter started with the DCS. It seemed that confusion was deliberately created.

Ms W Ngwenya (ANC) noted that Mr Selfe covered what she had wanted to say.

The Chairperson noted that the DCS had been informed about the Committee Programme three months in advance, to ensure timeous preparation. The Chairperson of the Public Works Portfolio Committee and several Members had been invited, as well as the CEO of IDT. The CEO of IDT had received confusing information from the DCS. The agenda of the day would not be taken from the Committee Programme, but would be reconvened at a future date. The DCS had to clarify matters.

Mr Selfe remarked that the situation was outrageous. He suspected that the DCS had acted deliberately. Someone had spoken to the CEO of IDT without authority. The author of the letter and the phone call to the CEO, had to explain. The Department was trifling with Parliament.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.