Baku:Parliament The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure postponed its virtual meeting with the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) scheduled for a review of safety standards at construction sites. This decision was made after senior officials from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and the CBE requested to leave early.

According to Parliament of South Africa, the meeting was initially set to discuss building collapses and safety standards, following previous engagements with related entities. However, officials, including the Minister, Mr. Dean Mcpherson, Deputy Minister, Mr. Sihle Zikalala, and CBE Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Msizi Myeza, informed the committee they would need to leave by 1100 for Cabinet meetings. The Director-General of the department also announced his early departure for another committee meeting.

Committee Chairperson Ms. Carol Phiri expressed strong objections to the late notice from the Director-General, emphasizing that the meeting was scheduled well in advance and should have been prioritized. She criticized the department for not treating the committee with the respect it deserves and questioned the officials' commitment to their primary responsibilities.

Committee members highlighted the significance of the absent officials, as their presence is crucial for addressing the CBE's report, which covers critical safety issues. The absence was believed to undermine the meeting's effectiveness, leading to the decision to reschedule. The new date for the meeting will be announced later by the committee support staff.