Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s consistent absence from key meetings has sparked concerns among committee members in the Western Cape legislature.
The most recent instance occurred on Tuesday, August 29, when he missed a meeting related to the energy crisis in the Western Cape.
As per the Daily Maverick, this absence resulted in the cancellation of two oversight committees focused on education and community safety. As a result, committee members are considering the possibility of issuing a summons against Ramokgopa due to his repeated no-shows.
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Ramokgopa, who serves as the minister in the Presidency responsible for electricity, was scheduled to speak to the ad hoc committee on the energy crisis about the current state of energy supply and its implications for the Western Cape.
However, shortly after the meeting began, Ramokgopa sent an apology for his absence, which drew the ire of committee members.
Ramokgopa’s office later told the Daily Maverick that his absence ‘was purely on the basis of clashes with other Cabinet commitments.’
During the parliamentary session on Tuesday morning, Deidré Baartman, a committee member affiliated with the DA and also the chairperson of the education committee, expressed that the Western Cape Provincial Parliament faced a complete disruption of committee meetings due to the adjustments made for Tuesday’s meeting, which was supposed to feature Ramokgopa, but he was absent.
During the meeting, Ferlon Christians, a committee member representing the African Christian Democratic Party, reportedly voiced dissatisfaction about the circumstances.
He pointed out that the committee received a substantial 32-page presentation late on the preceding Monday evening, leaving little time for adequate review before the scheduled morning meeting, which Ramokgopa did not attend.
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Christians criticised this situation as disrespectful towards the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, advocating that the meeting should not have proceeded. He emphasised that the entire day had been rendered ineffective in accommodating the minister.
Peter Marais from the Freedom Front Plus party commented that Ramokgopa was well aware that he couldn’t employ the same tactics he might use with other provinces. After receiving a warning from Cameron Dugmore of the ANC that the term he used was improper, Marais withdrew a potentially inappropriate comment about the minister’s actions.
Marais further asserted that Ramokgopa would be subjected to increased pressure from the committee members due to the quality of the questions posed. He even suggested that the matter be escalated to the President, who appointed Ramokgopa, as a potential course of action.
Aishah Cassiem of the Economic Freedom Fighters Party expressed frustration with Ramokgopa’s use of time, stating that the minister’s actions were causing unnecessary delays. She highlighted that there were pressing inquiries regarding electricity and the new BRICS deal that Ramokgopa needed to address.
While various committee members discussed the prospect of issuing a summons to ensure Ramokgopa’s presence, Nomi Nkondlo from the ANC emphasised that her support was for registering a concern rather than pursuing a summons.
Cayla Murray, affiliated with the DA, proposed sending a letter to Ramokgopa, urging him to attend another meeting. The letter would also indicate that if he failed to attend, a summons would be a potential avenue to explore.
While opinions differed on the approach, a motion was eventually passed to postpone the current meeting and seek an urgent slot for a rescheduled meeting. If Ramokgopa were to miss this subsequent meeting, legal advisors and the Office of the Speaker could be consulted to explore the feasibility of issuing a summons.
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Following the meeting, DA spokesperson Christopher Fry highlighted that Ramokgopa’s repeated scheduling conflicts have led to multiple postponements, impacting the transparency and accountability expected from a government minister.
Fry emphasised that the public in the Western Cape deserved answers regarding efforts to address the energy crisis. Ramokgopa’s office responded, stating that his previous absences were due to clashes with other Cabinet commitments and highlighting his openness to engaging with stakeholders to address the energy crisis.
The Daily Maverick reports that the meeting ended with unresolved tensions, and committee members from different parties had varying viewpoints on the way forward.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), GOOD, Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members supported the motion, while members from the African National Congress (ANC) and Al Jama-ah rejected it.
As discussions continue, the question of holding Ramokgopa accountable for his repeated absences looms, and the pursuit of transparency and effective governance remains a central concern for the Western Cape legislature and its committee members.
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Picture: @Kgosientsho_R / Twitter