12 March 2023
The National Assembly (NA) Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, leads a South African Parliamentary high-level delegation to the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Manama, Bahrain. The session is themed, “Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance”. The theme is informed by evidence that the world is at its lowest ebb of peacefulness in over 15 years because of a series of conflicts including the War in Ukraine.
The five-day session of the 133-year-old multilateral organisation started yesterday at the Exhibition World Bahrain and will conclude on 15 March 2023. It is attended by representatives of 110 parliaments, including delegations from countries in conflict situations.
The Speaker is also attending as a member of the IPU Task Force for the Peaceful Resolution of the War in Ukraine. The Task Force is scheduled to meet high-level delegations from both Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo, is leading a multi-party parliamentary delegation to the sittings of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) committees and other PAP organs, taking place from 05 to 17 March.
Issues being discussed and considered include the unpacking of the AU theme for 2023, the Role of the PAP in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the role of the PAP in Promoting Transparency and Accountability and Fighting Corruption within the Continent.
At Parliament, this week’s programme includes questions for oral reply by the Governance Cluster Ministers, consideration of Bills, debates and public hearings from both Houses of Parliament.
On Tuesday at 14:00, the NA will consider the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements on the Housing Consumer Protection Bill and a few other bills. The same sitting will also consider the report of PC on Social Development on the list of recommended candidates to serve on the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals.
The NA will hold an oral question and answer session with the four governance cluster ministers at its hybrid plenary sitting at 14:00 on Wednesday. The cluster comprises ministers responsible for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Ministry in the Presidency; Public Service and Administration; and the Ministry responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
Parliament uses a range of instruments to scrutinise executive action, including question-and-answer sessions. Section 92 (2) of the Constitution also stipulates that Cabinet Members are accountable collectively and individually to Parliament for the exercise of their powers and performance of their functions.
The same sitting will also consider a draft Resolution by the Chief Whip of the Opposition on the establishment of an ad hoc committee to conduct an inquiry into matters surrounding the Phala Phala game farm theft with specific reference to the involvement and response of the various government departments and agencies in the alleged cover-up of the crime.
On Thursday at 08:30 am, the two houses of Parliament, the NCOP and the NA will convene their respective programming committee meetings to plan for the business of the houses, consider reports on bills, and the Parliamentary Programme.
Thursday at 14:00, the NA will hold two virtual mini-plenaries whilst the NCOP will convene its hybrid plenary session to debate the interprovincial Red Tape Reduction themed: “Transforming the service delivery value chain for faster growth and development.
The NCOP’s Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour will hold virtual public hearings on the Performers Protection Amendment Bill and Copyright Amendment Bill on Tuesday, 14 March. Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Transport will close the week by conducting public hearings on the Railway Safety Bill in the Free State province from 17- 19 March.
Parliament uses public hearings to involve members of society in the law-making processes of the institution.
There are about 28 scheduled committee meetings of both Houses this week, and are as follows:
TUESDAY, 14 MARCH 2023
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, Briefing by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) on the Audit Action Plan and on the 2023/24 Annual Performance Plans.
Standing Committee on Appropriations Public Hearings on the 2023 Division of Revenue Bill;
Standing Committee on Appropriations, Public Hearings on the 2023 Second Adjustments Appropriation (2022/23 financial year) Bill];
Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, Update by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on, the merger of the PetroSA, iGas and SFF, on shale gas developments; Update by Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the Central Energy Fund (CEF) on the solar water heater programme storage; Update by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) on the Milnerton & Saldanha Bay fuel storage facilities;
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Briefing by the Department on: (i) mitigating factors to counter financial losses at the SABC; (ii) strategies to support local content development; (iii) progress update on filling of vacancies in the Portfolio; and (iv) action plan to address irregularities at the Department and its Entities; Briefing by GCIS on: (i) Operations of the MAC Charter; (ii) audit of government 30% Adspend; and (iii) on progress made to resolve governance challenges at MDDA;
Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, briefing by the Department of Home Affairs on plans to address backlogs in Immigration (permitting section) and Civic services; Update on the progress made in addressing backlogs in the refugees, especially on appeals;
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Engagement on the state of Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality by: Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, Office of the Auditor-General North West, Provincial Treasury and Coghsta, SALGA and Department of Cooperative Governance;
WEDNESDAY, 15 MARCH 2023
Standing Committee on Finance, Briefing by National Treasury on the Municipal Fiscal Powers and Functions Amendment Bill;
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, Briefing by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and Agreement SA on the 2023/24 Annual Performance Plans;
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Engagement on the state of Renosterberg Local Municipality by: Renosterberg Local Municipality, Pixle-KaSeme District Municipality, Office of the Auditor-General Northern Cape, Provincial Treasury and Coghsta, SALGA and Department of Cooperative Governance;
Portfolio Committee on Police, Briefing by Civilian Secretary for Police Service on the integrated crime prevention strategy;
Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Briefing by the Department of Human Settlements on the Second and Third Quarter Report (July to September and Oct to Dec 2022);
Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, Consideration of report on the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill; Consideration of report on Legal Practice Regulations; Responses to submissions on the Maintenance Amendment Bill;
Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Presentation by the Department of Small Business Development – Consolidated submission to the Red Tape Unit (Presidency);
Select Committee on Appropriations, Briefing by Financial and Fiscal Commission & PBO on the 2023 Division of Revenue Bill.
THURSDAY, 16 MARCH 2023
Joint Standing Committee on Defence, briefing by the DOD on funding for domestic defence Research and Development; Briefing by Denel on their ability to support the SANDF following the Medium-term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) allocation.
FRIDAY, 17 MARCH 2023
Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament, Consideration of the Committee’s 2023/24 Annual Plan; Consideration and adoption of committee minutes and reports: 10 March 2023; Report of the JSCFMP on Parliament’s performance in the Third Quarter of 2022/23],
Standing Committee on Auditor-General, Briefing by Auditor-General on the review of the dispute resolution process (presentation of the information submitted in writing); Briefing by Auditor-General on progress made in the implementation of audit action plan to deal with identified issues during auditing.
Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, Briefing by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the RICA Certificate of Exemption.
For the latest full schedule of committee meetings (updated regularly), please click: https://www.parliament.gov.za/parliament-programme
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
