The Democratic Alliance on Sunday accused Parliament's questions office of "obstructing" the party's parliamentary questions probing corruption.

The questions office had disqualified two written questions on the grounds that they were too vague in terms of the National Assembly Guide to Procedure, DA Chief Whip Ian Davidson said in a statement.

One of the questions - to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Brigitte Mabandla - asked "whether she or her director-general has at any time met a legal representative or any person or persons acting for any individual or organisation under scrutiny by the German investigators who are probing alleged kick-backs (bribes) related to the countries' multi-billion rand arms deal; if so, (a) on how many occasions, (b) with whom and when did such a meeting or meetings take place and what were the relevant details?"

The second question - to Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya - asked "whether he or any member of his immediate family has any financial interest, including shares in Cash Paymaster Services (CPS); if so, (a) which family member and (b) what is the financial interest and for how long has it been effective?"

Davidson said he would like to know in what way these two questions were vague. "What is clear is that both questions probe corruption at an executive level," he said.

The purpose of parliamentary questions was to provide oversight over the executive by ensuring it was transparent and that it remained answerable for its actions. - Sapa

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Cape Times.