The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused Songezo Zibi, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), of obstructing access to critical documents tied to ongoing scandals at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), the state investment fund managing nearly R3 trillion in assets.

DA spokesperson on finance Dr Mark Burke said Zibi had received a dossier from the PIC four weeks ago, but continues to: “stonewall” MPs’ requests to examine its contents. “SCOPA chair Songezo Zibi is blocking MPs from accessing key documents on PIC scandals,” Burke said in a statement issued yesterday. “Despite repeated requests, he’s withheld a dossier that may include reports on Daybreak Foods and other probes. His actions hinder oversight of a R3 trillion state entity and defy public transparency,” said Burke.

According to the DA, the dossier was sent in response to questions first posed by MPs three months ago. Burke noted the: “bizarre” decision by Zibi to allow the PIC to courier only hard copies rather than supply electronic versions. “This all could have been an email – back in July,” Burke stated.

Burke argued that Zibi’s conduct undermines the principle of public oversight. He concluded: “It is extremely problematic that Zibi, who is expected to set a strong example as chairperson of a powerful parliamentary committee, is either neglecting or refusing to provide access to files that are not Zibi’s private property, but which belong to the public.”