Hon Speaker, hon members, earlier this week, my colleague Dr Dion George issued a statement. What it basically entailed was that the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, needs to be reformed because the present holding of office bearers and officials to account is simply not working. The problem is that some hon Ministers failed to appear before the Scopa without any explanation. This is clearly not acceptable.
What is of further great concern is that the senior officials rotate at an alarming level between departments, and consultants are often paid exorbitant consulting fees. The question that needs to be asked is: Are rate and taxpayers getting value for money seen in the light of lack of service delivery in many urban and rural areas? [Interjections.]
May I be allowed to conclude. Some departments such as the Land Restitution Unit in the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, among others, can be categorised as dysfunctional, and this present state of affairs cannot be allowed to carry on. The DA urges Parliament to really reform this very important committee. I thank you. [Applause.]