The article titled DP walks out in defence report row (November 28) refers.

The joint investigation report into the strategic defence packages points to many irregularities and leaves many questions unanswered. These packages constitute between R43bn and R66bn of taxpayers' money. The defence committee, and others, have to carry out a process of probing this report and report back to Parliament. This probing also implies that certain individuals and institutions might have to appear before these committees to answer questions and clarify issues.

The Democratic Alliance will not support a process that disregards important sections of the constitution. Section 92 (2) of the constitution states that: "Members of the cabinet are accountable collectively and individually to Parliament". The refusal by the minister to appear before a committee of Parliament or allow members of his department or Armscor to do so, is in contempt of the constitution. Section 56 of the constitution allows a committee to: "summon any person to appear before it to give evidence on oath or affirmation, or to produce documents".

After all, parties agreed last week that the defence department, Armscor and the investigating bodies should appear before the committee to answer questions, but certain parties now appear to have fallen victim to the whims of the executive.

The basic principle of representative democracy is that MPs are in Parliament to represent their constituents and taxpayers, not to represent the interests of the executive. The executive remains responsible to Parliament and not the other way around. It is these principles that are being flouted by the defence committee. Taking part in such a process is giving legitimacy to a process that undermines democracy and the constitution.

With acknowledgement to Roy Jankielsohn and Business Day.