Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have raised alarm over what they describe as a troubling pattern of non-compliance among senior ministers.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana were reportedly expected to brief Parliament’s defence committee this week on the state of South Africa’s military.
Godongwana had specifically been summoned to address claims that the National Treasury was obstructing the department.
However, according to the EFF, Motshekga withdrew at the last minute, citing overseas travel, while Godongwana also declined to appear —despite repeated reminders and sufficient notice.
In a formal letter to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, EFF parliamentary chief whip Nontando Nolutshungu expressed concern that these absences go beyond scheduling conflicts, describing them as a “disregard for constitutional and parliamentary norms.”
Despite receiving proper notice, Motshekga withdrew from a crucial committee session at the last minute, citing overseas travel. Godongwana also declined to attend under similar circumstances.
The committee meeting was convened to address the deteriorating state of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), including over-expenditure, outdated equipment, and declining operational readiness—all posing serious risks to national security and sovereignty.
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The EFF has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms. Thoko Didiza, raising serious concern regarding the disregard for parliamentary oversight by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Hon. Angie Motshekga, and the Minister of Finance, Hon.… pic.twitter.com/5Xb6B1fA89
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 9, 2025
The EFF insists this is not an isolated incident.
“Motshekga has previously failed to attend portfolio committee and joint standing committee meetings, forcing committees to repeatedly register their displeasure. Their absence demonstrates not a scheduling conflict but a pattern of disregard for parliament’s oversight work, in clear violation of their constitutional and parliamentary obligations,” the party said.
According to the EFF, this behaviour reflects a systemic pattern that amounts to a direct affront to Parliament’s constitutional oversight role.
The constitutional principle of accountability requires Cabinet members to remain answerable to Parliament, both collectively and individually. Parliamentary rules also empower committees to scrutinise executive organs and oblige the Speaker to convey committee resolutions to the Leader of Government Business.
In its letter, the EFF urged Speaker Didiza to escalate the matter to Deputy President and Leader of Government Business Paul Mashatile.
The party further called for transparency, demanding that any correspondence or responses be published in the Parliamentary Announcements, Tablings and Committee (ATC) Reports.
The EFF stressed that tolerating such disregard for oversight would undermine democratic accountability, erode the separation of powers, and further compromise the functionality of the SANDF.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
