'Unfortunately, the budget is abused because constituency offices become offices of political parties.'
Despite millions in taxpayers’ money being spent on MPs “doing constituency work” during the parliamentary recess, the system meant to bring politicians closer to the people has failed, according to experts. While in countries like the UK, MPs devote their time to constituencies which elected them, listening to community concerns before they blow up into a crisis, local politicians have ironically continued to react after the fact.
Parliament’s annual performance plan for 2021-22 recorded that R510.1 million was budgeted to political parties, with the annual report for 2019-20, showing a transfer of R470.7 million, including a R338.4 million “constituency allowance”. “Without a doubt, if MPs did return to constituency offices around the country and were available for meaningful engagement with the public, many localised issues could be raised with them, which they could take back to parliament for discussion, on matters relating to accountability at provincial and local government levels.”“There is no way of proving that MPs are using this time constructively or to avail themselves to the public at these so-called constituency offices.
“Without generalising, it seldom happens during constituency week, that you will find MPs in their constituency offices on the Monday, set for the start of that work.”