Department Of Correctional Services Stoops To New Low

March 9, 2007

The Inkatha Freedom Party's Spokesperson on Correctional Services Ms Sybil Seaton MP, today said that the Department of Correctional Services has stooped to a new low, labeling MPs as weak political leaders and lacking sound judgment following their dismissal of the Mathe report.

In a press release the Department of Correctional Services refers to MPs who serve on Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services as having poor judgment, poor comprehension of legal and constitutional issues and very weak political leaders.

"The IFP thinks this attack on Parliament is absolutely scandalous. The Correctional Services Department has no right to criticise Parliament. After the Constitution, Parliament is the highest legislative oversight body subject to the Constitution. A State Department is subservient to Parliament and has absolutely no right to criticise in this way," said Ms Seaton.

"Clearly the Department, being part of the Executive, does not understand its place in the Constitutional pecking order. It is subservient to Parliament and its Committees, but the Department has gone on the offensive ignoring the Constitution.

"The scathing attack by the Department on the Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services is unprecedented and the IFP therefore calls on the Speaker of Parliament to intervene immediately by calling the Minister to order so that we can protect the integrity of Parliament," concluded Ms Seaton.



FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Ms Sybil Seaton MP: 083 412 0075

Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470