‘Trust deficit’ in Parliament hampers its effectiveness

Abstract

Lawson Naidoo is the Executive Secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) and a founding partner of the political consultancy, the Paternoster Group.
At the launch of the Institute for African Alternatives’ Checks and Balances: The Auditor-General Project Report, it became clear that the checks and balances laid out in our Constitution go far beyond financial accountability to refer to a broader understanding of the constitutionally defined requirements of our Members of Parliament. That was made clear in the opening address by LAWSON NAIDOO.