HAPPENING IN PARLIAMENT THIS WEEK

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is set to appear before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) plenary on Thursday, 29 March, at 14:00 to respond to Questions for Oral Reply from Members of Parliament. Additionally, the Social Services Cluster: 2D Ministers will address the NCOP on Tuesday at 14:00, responding to queries from members. This cluster includes ministers responsible for Higher Education, as well as Sport, Arts and Culture.

According to Section 92(2) of the Constitution, members of the executive are accountable both collectively and individually to Parliament for their actions and decisions. Parliament exercises oversight through various mechanisms, including the Questions for Oral Reply sessions.

On Wednesday at 14:00, the NCOP plenary will engage in a debate titled: “Ensuring the continued existence of iThala Bank SOC as an instrument for equal access to finance, development and opportunity.”

National Assembly

The National Assembly (NA) has no scheduled plenary sittings this week, allowing parliamentary committees to conduct oversight activities. The 7th Parliament has restructured its programme into dedicated weekly rotations for committee oversight, constituency engagement, and plenary sessions to strengthen its constitutional mandate and enhance public service.

During oversight weeks, parliamentary committees investigate issues in-depth and hold the executive accountable. Constituency weeks allow Members of Parliament to engage with the public directly.

Below are some of the oversight activities taking place from 24 to 29 March:

Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development: Conducting oversight in Limpopo on the Department of Small Business Development to explore support mechanisms for registered spaza shops. Contact: Justice Molafo (083 424 7481).
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans & Joint Standing Committee on Defence: Visiting Denel Land Systems in Pretoria for facility inspections. Contact: Jabulani Majozi (083 358 5224).
Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA): Conducting oversight visits in OR Tambo District Municipality and Buffalo City Metro Municipality. Contact: Faith Ndenze (081 377 0686).
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education: Visiting Free State for oversight on institutions of higher learning. Contact: Jabulani Majozi (083 358 5224).
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure: Oversight on small harbour development in Port St John’s and Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. Contact: Sibongile Maputi (081 052 6060).
Portfolio Committee on Electricity: Assessing power grids in Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Contact: Yolisa Landu (081 497 4694).

Public Hearings

From 24 to 27 March, the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will conduct public hearings on the Marriage Bill in the Eastern Cape, marking the third province engaged in these discussions following Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The proposed bill aims to unify the country’s marriage laws under a single legislative framework.

Additionally, NA committee chairpersons will convene in Johannesburg from 27 to 28 March for the Forum of Chairpersons of Committees for the 7th term.

Committee Meetings

A total of 19 committee meetings are scheduled from Tuesday to Friday, covering various legislative and oversight matters.

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Briefings from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and associated entities on audit action plans and financial reports. Virtual meeting (09:00-17:00).
Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings: Review of progress reports on executive undertakings. Virtual meeting (10:00-12:00).
Joint meeting with Standing Committee on Finance and Select Committee on Finance: Public hearings on the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals. Virtual meeting (09:00-12:00).
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry: Engagement with ArcelorMittal South Africa and review of departmental oversight reports. Virtual meeting (09:30-13:00).
Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Briefings on quarterly reports from South African Weather Service and South African National Parks. Virtual meeting (09:30-13:00).
Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation: Briefing on international cooperation agreements and Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa initiative. Marks Building (10:00-13:00).
Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture: Reports from Netball SA, SAFA, Boxing SA, and SARU on governance and financial matters. Good Hope Chamber (09:30-16:30).
Portfolio Committee on Tourism: Briefings from the Airports Company South Africa and airline representatives on aviation industry challenges. NCOP Building (10:00).
Standing Committee on Appropriations: Briefing by the Financial and Fiscal Commission on the 2025 Division of Revenue Bill. Marks Building (10:00-13:00).

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade: Briefing on delays in the Nkomazi Special Economic Zone. Virtual meeting (10:00-13:00).
Select Committee on Appropriations: Briefing from National Treasury on the 2025 Division of Revenue and Appropriation Bills. NCOP Building (10:00-13:00).
Select Committee on Social Services: Briefing by SASSA on its Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan. Venue TBC (10:00-12:30).
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Progress update on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digital Economy Masterplan. Virtual meeting (09:00-13:00).
Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development: Implementation readiness of the CPA Amendment Act. NCOP Building (09:30-13:30).
Standing Committee on Appropriations: Briefing by the Parliamentary Budget Office on the 2025 Division of Revenue Bill. Marks Building (09:30-13:00).

Friday, 28 March 2025

Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament: Briefing on the reconstruction of buildings affected by the 2022 fire. Virtual meeting (14:00-18:00).
Joint meeting with Standing Committee on Finance and Select Committee on Finance: Response by National Treasury and SARS on submissions regarding the Fiscal Framework. Virtual meeting (09:00-12:00).
Standing Committee on Appropriations: Input from stakeholders on the 2025 Division of Revenue Bill. Marks Building (09:30-13:00).