This week in Parliament, legislative debates, budget briefings, and committee inquiries will span critical areas, including public service reform, youth development, digital regulations, waste management, rural safety, and the future of South Africa’s gas industry.

On Tuesday, the National Assembly will hold a plenary session to consider reports from the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on public hearings for the Public Service Commission Bill, followed by a second reading debate on the bill. It will also deliberate on a report from the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities regarding National Youth Development Agency Board vacancies, with declarations from parties expected. The session will conclude with a Human Rights Day debate centred on advancing social justice and human rights.

In committee meetings, the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies will receive an extensive briefing from ICASA on key regulatory updates, covering the Market Inquiry on Signal Distribution, User and Subscriber Charter, RICA amendments, SAPO regulations, sports broadcasting rules, and the monitoring of Universal Service Obligations from the Spectrum Auction. The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will engage with the Minister of Home Affairs and Government Printing Works on its Turnaround Strategy, discuss political funding limits for parties and independents, and deliberate on the Motion of Desirability for the Immigration Amendment Bill. The Joint Committees on Appropriations and Finance will meet with the Financial and Fiscal Commission and Parliamentary Budget Office for an in-depth analysis of the 2025 Budget. Environment, Forestry and Fisheries will review waste management and landfill site conditions across major metros, while the Agriculture Committee will assess the Department of Agriculture’s Draft Farmer Support Strategy and progress on finalising the Farmer Register. A joint meeting with the Committees on Minerals and Police will hear from both departments on the state of derelict and ownerless mines and briefings on combating illegal mining operations. The Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will meet with the Rand Water Board to discuss water supply to municipalities, alongside adopting oversight reports for Gauteng and Eastern Cape. The Tourism Committee will receive a briefing on the Department’s Route Development Marketing Plan.

On Wednesday, the National Assembly will deliberate on a report from the Communications and Digital Technologies Committee following an oversight visit to the State Information Technology Agency (SITA). The Portfolio Committee on Police will meet with SAPS, the Minister of Police, and the Minister of Agriculture to evaluate the implementation of the National Rural Safety Strategy. The Select Committee on Social Services will assess the Central Drug Authority’s annual report and receive an update on the National Drug Master Plan before adopting oversight reports and minutes. The Energy Committee will examine the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s briefing on South Africa’s gas sector, focusing on the looming “Gas Cliff” and strategies to boost domestic gas exploitation. Meanwhile, the Health Committee will hold oral presentations on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, followed by further deliberations and adoption of minutes.

National Assembly Programme

MONDAY, 17 MARCH

• CONSTITUENCY DAY

TUESDAY, 18 MARCH

• 09:00 – 12:30 – Committees
• 14:00 – ±19:30 – PLENARY
  

1. Member’s statements (50)
2. Consideration of Reports of PC on Public Service and Administration on Public Hearings (Written and Oral) for Public Service Commission Bill [B 30 – 2023] & Public Service Commission Bill B 30 – 2023 (ATC, 5 March 2025, p 4 – 22) (no debate)
3. Second Reading debate – Public Service Commission Bill B 30B – 2023 (121)
4. Consideration of Report PC on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities on Filling of vacancies for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board (ATC, 11 March 2025, p 3) (51) (declarations)
5. Debate on Human Rights Day: Deepening a culture of social justice and human rights (106)
6. Motions without notice
7. Notices of motion

WEDNESDAY, 19 MARCH

• 09:00 – 12:30 – Committees
• 10:00 – Chief Whips’ Forum
• 15:00 – ±18:45 – PLENARY
  

1. Questions for Oral Reply: Cluster 3: Governance (180)
2. Consideration of Report of PC on Communications and Digital Technologies on Oversight visit to State Information Technology Agency (SITA) on 11 December 2024 (ATC, 13 February 2025, p 2) (51 (declarations)

THURSDAY, 20 MARCH

• 08:30 – Programme Committee
• 10:00 – Caucus
• COMMITTEES

Committee Programme

TUESDAY, 18 MARCH 2025

• Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies (National Assembly), Briefing by ICASA on critical steps to address: (i) Market Inquiry on Signal Distribution; (ii) Inquiry into User and Subscriber Charter; (iii) Update on the Amendment of Regulation of Interception of Communications and provision of communication‑related information Act (RICA); (vi) SAPO Regulations;  (vii) Sports Broadcasting Regulations; (viii) Update on the monitoring of the implementation of the Universal Service Obligations emanating from the Spectrum Auction. Adoption of minutes, Room 1, NFSAS Building, 4 Christiaan Barnard St, Cape Town, 10:00-13:00
• Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, (National Assembly), Engagement on DBE Third Quarterly Report 2024/25 + Comprehensive Action Plan with timeframes to address AGSA’s audit findings, Consideration of Draft Minutes and Draft Reports, Virtual meeting platform, 09:30–12:30
• Joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition (National Assembly) and Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition on policy priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and DTIC’s role in this regard, Virtual meeting platform, 09:30 – 13:00
• Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs (National Assembly), Briefing by the Minister of Home Affairs and the Government Printing Works (GPW) on its Turnaround Strategy. Committee deliberations on the upper limits and disclosure threshold to fund political parties, independent candidates and independent representatives. Consideration of the Motion of Desirability (MOD) on the Immigration Amendment Bill and Committee deliberations.], S26, First floor, NCOP Building 10:00 – 13:00.
• Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative industries, (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by the Department of Higher Education and Training on the following: Registration in Universities, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges and Community Education and Training (CET) Colleges,The status of infrastructure across the higher education portfolio, Briefing by the National Students Financial Aid Scheme on student funding for the 2025   academic year, Virtual meeting platform, 10:00 – 13:00
• Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), Parliament of the RSA performance in quarters 1 to 3 of 2024/25: briefings by the Executive Authority and the administration, M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, 17:00 – 18:00
• Joint meeting with Standing Committee on Appropriations, Select Committee on Finance and Standing Committee on Finance, Select Committee on Appropriations, (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) and Parliamentary Budget Office on the 2025 Budget, Virtual meeting platform, 09:00-13:00
• Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, (National Assembly), Briefing by the overview by the DFFE on Waste Management including the state of landfill sites in South Africa; Briefing by SALGA on the state of waste management in South Africa; Briefing by Metros on their Waste Management (including the state of landfill sites): City of Johannesburg, City of Ekurhuleni City of Tshwane, Virtual meeting platform, 09:30-13:00
• Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture (National Assembly), Briefing by Basketball South Africa on the Annual Report and the 2023/24 audited financial statements and all other outstanding matters, Virtual meeting platform, 09:30-13:00
• PC on Agriculture, (National Assembly), Briefing by DALRRD on the Draft Strategy to Streamline Farmer Support and progress on the finalisation of the Strategy. Update by DALRRD on the development and finalisation of the Farmer Register. Committee Room1, Ground Floor, 120 Plein Street, 09:30 – 13:00.
• Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation (National Assembly) Consideration and adoption of minutes. Consideration and adoption of the Committee oversight report on Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Virtual meeting platform, 10:00 – 13:00
• Joint meeting with Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Portfolio Committee on Police (National Assembly), Briefing by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on derelict and ownerless mines, Briefing by the Department of Police on illegal mining, Good Hope Chamber, 09:00 – 13:00
• Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, (National Assembly), Briefing by Rand Water Board on water provision to municipalities; Discussion and adoption of the Gauteng Oversight report and Eastern Cape oversight report)– (Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs – National Assembly), M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building 09:00 – 13:00.
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), Hearing on the RAF audit outcomes and financial statements for 2023/24 as presented by AG, M514, Fifth floor, Marks Building, 09:00 -14:00.
• Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (National Assembly), (National Assembly), Presentation by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on matters affecting the PC on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, but in particular the defunding of NGOs; Presentation by Professor Bohler-Muller on Women 20 (W20) and issues affecting the PC on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities; Committee internal business, Virtual meeting platform, 09:30 – 12:00.
• Portfolio Committee on Tourism (National Assembly), Briefing by the Department of Tourism on the Route Development Marketing Plan; Consideration and adoption of minutes, Committee Room 2, Upper ground floor, 90 Plein Street.

WEDNESDAY, 19 MARCH 2025

• Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), Briefing by SAPS, Minister of Police and Minister of Agriculture on implementation of the National Rural Safety Strategy. S26, First floor, NCOP Building, 09:00-12:30
• Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (National Assembly), Briefing by the Military Veterans Appeal Board on its functions, impact and challenges, Consideration of outstanding minutes, M314, Third floor, Marks Building, 10:00-13:00
• Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Assembly), Briefing by the DPWI and IDT on: NA report regarding how far the process of appointing the new Board of Trustees is. The business case regarding the reconfiguration process of the IDT. A written report by the DPWI, explaining how the department plans to assist the IDT to be sustainable. Consideration and adoption of minutes, Committee room 4, 90 Plein Street, 09:30 – 12:30.
• Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements (National Assembly), Meeting with service providers for alternative technologies: Moladi, CSIR ,Agrément South Africa, Committee Room 2, 90 Plein Street, 09:30-13:00
• Select Committee on Security and Justice (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by various Departments on the implementation of the Sexual Offences Act in preparation for Human Rights Day, briefing by the DNA Board on forensics and DNA processing, Venue: TBC, 10:00-13:00
• Select Committee on Social Services, (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by the Central Drug Authority (CDA) on the 2023/24 Annual Report and an update on the National Drug Master Plan, Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes, Consideration and Adoption of Committee Oversight Report, Virtual meeting platform, 10:00 – 12:30
• Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, (National Assembly), Briefing by the NRCS on its amended/revised APP, and 3^rd quarter financial and non-financial performance for the 2024/25 financial year, Virtual meeting platform, 09:30-13:00
• Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, (National Assembly), Briefing and update by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on the Gas Industry and gas exploitation in the country, with a focus on addressing the Gas Cliff, M201, Second floor, Marks building, 09:30-13:00
• Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training (National Assembly), Briefing by the Briefing by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on 2024/25 third quarter expenditure and non-financial performance report and overview of registration and enrolments in the post-school education and training (PSET) system for the 2025 academic year, M515, Fifth floor, Marks Building, 09:00-13:00  
• Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration (National Assembly), Briefing by the Public Service Commission on the turnaround time in dealing with complaints as guided by the Public Service Act and challenges thereof of not meeting the target; Report tabled by the Public Service Commission on the extent of utilization of headhunting processes in the public service; Consideration and adoption of the minutes, Virtual Platform on Zoom, 10:00-13:00.
• Portfolio Committee on Employment & Labour, (National Assembly), Briefing on the 2024/25 Quarter 3 Performance Report (QPR3) of the following entities of DEL: Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Compensation Fund (CF) – (The briefing will integrate progress with regards to proposed remedial action by AGSA), Room 1, FFC Building, 11th Floor, 33 Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, 10:00
• Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development, (National Assembly), Briefing by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development on the Agricultural Land Holding Account focusing on lease management, transfer of land and property management generally. Further update on the issues of material irregularity as found by the Auditor-General. M46, Ground floor, Marks Building, 09:30 – 13:30
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), Briefing by Auditor General on municipalities with outstanding annual financial statements, M514, Fifth floor, Marks Building, 09:00 -14:30.
• Portfolio Committee on Social Development (National Assembly; Briefing by Department of Social Development (DSD), South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA) on their audit action plans on AGSA’s findings and recommendations for 2023/2024 financial year; Consideration and adoption of minutes, Virtual meeting platform: 09:00 – 13:00
• Portfolio Committee on Health, (National Assembly), Oral presentations on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill [B33 – 2022], Consideration and adoption of minutes, Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30 – 13:00

Tablings

• ATC250313: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure on the Agrément SA Industry and Stakeholder Engagement Forum
• ATC250313: Report of the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests: Non-disclosures of Members’ Interests for 2024 Contravention of the Ethical Code of Conduct
• ATC250313: Report of the Joint Committee on Ethics And Members’ Interests on the Alleged Contravention of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests: Honourable Ian Cameron, MP- the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police.
• ATC250311: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities on the filling of vacancies for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board

Legislation

Calls for Comments

• Discussion Paper 163: Project 148 Domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – The South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) is seeking public input on its Project 148 Discussion Paper, focusing on the Domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into South African law. This paper is part of the SALRC’s efforts to ensure that South Africa’s laws align with international standards on disability rights. Submissions must be received by no later than 30 April 2025
• SALRC: 4 Discussion Papers on Review of the Criminal Procedure Act (Project 151)- The South African Law Reform Commission has published four discussion papers on the review of the Criminal Procedure Act. The review seeks to address systemic challenges in the Act, particularly in relation to provisions that deal with arrest, bail, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and victim participation in the criminal justice process. This is a sub-project of the overall review of the Criminal Justice System. Submissions must be received by no later than 31 March 2025
• Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals – The Standing Committee on Finance and the Select Committee on Finance invites you to submit written submissions on the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals that will be tabled together with the 2025/2026 Budget on Wednesday, 19 February 2025. Public hearings will be conducted via Zoom on Tuesday, 25 March 2025
• NHI Fund: Proposed Governance Regulations. The Department of Health invites written representations on the Draft Regulations. Comments can be emailed to Ms Mapula Seoketsa at regcomments@health.gov.za by no later than Friday, 6 June 2025
• Notice to Introduce – Student Debt Relief Bill (PMB) (Mr. S Lonzi EFF). Organised local government, municipalities, interested parties and institutions are invited to submit written representations on the proposed content of the draft Bill to the Speaker of the National Assembly at speaker@parliament.gov.za (and copied to chiefwhip@effonline.org) by no later than Sunday, 30 March 2025
• Notice to Introduce – Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Amendment Bill (PMB) (Mr. AD Beesley ActionSA). Mr. Alan David Beesley, MP, intends to introduce the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Amendment Bill, in Parliament and publishes an explanatory summary of the draft Bill in accordance with Rule 276(1)(c) of the Rules of the National Assembly (9th Edition). Organised local government, municipalities, interested parties and institutions are invited to submit written representations on the proposed content of the draft Bill to the Speaker of the National Assembly at speaker@parliament.gov.za (and copied to parliament@actionsa.org.za  by no later than Saturday, 12 April 2025
• Discussion Document: Exclusivity Review of Reserved Postal Services. The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies intends to review in terms of Section 16(8) of the Postal Services Act, 1998 (Act No 124 of 1998), the period during which no person other than the South African Post Office SoC Ltd (SAPO) may provide a reserved postal service. Comments can be emailed to Ms Dimakatso Tshie at Exclusivity@dcdt.gov.za by no later than Thursday, 10 April 2025

Status of Bills

For an update on the status of all bills currently before Parliament, see this link.