OPINION | Melusi Ncala: Remember the lip service MPs have paid to the Constitution when you vote

Why is the sixth administration so intent on steamrolling its way to politically desired outcomes while disdaining its constitutional obligation to allow public involvement, asks Corruption Watch's Melusi Ncala

In the past four years, we have witnessed an arrogant Parliament, often led by an ANC emboldened by its majority, bulldozing its way to politically satisfactory decisions at the expense of the public good and the sanctity of the offices meant to advance and safeguard democracy.

We think back to Police Minister Bheki Cele acting unlawfully during the appointment of the executive director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). The appointment was made well past the prescribed 12 months after Robert McBride's contract had expired, an extension the IPID Act does not provide for and the Portfolio Committee on Police was not empowered to grant. Despite this and other concerns, as well as legal opinion that the committee had received, the appointment process continued. The attitude back then of most of the committee members was to dismiss civil society's recommendations and not hold the minister to account for his tardy action.