This week in Parliament, key committee hearings will cover justice, governance, and financial oversight. On Tuesday, the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development will review the Department of Justice’s annual report on the implementation of the Child Justice Act, while the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) will hold hearings on audit outcomes and financial statements for the Department of Military Veterans, Denel, and SIU investigations. The Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings will receive a progress report from the Minister of Water and Sanitation, and the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour will assess the implications of SONA 2025 on labour policy.

On Wednesday, the Justice Committee will review the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, while the Portfolio Committee on Police considers Q3 crime statistics. The Portfolio Committee on Social Development will discuss SRD grant vulnerabilities and a Gauteng High Court judgment on grant regulations, and the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure will receive updates on outstanding legislation. SCOPA will examine the annual reports of sector education and training authorities.

On Thursday, SCOPA will scrutinise Eskom’s audit outcomes for 2023/24, while on Friday, it will receive an SIU update on investigations into the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

National Assembly Programme

MONDAY, 24 FEBRUARY

• • CONSTITUENCY DAY

TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY to THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY

• • COMMITTEES/OVERSIGHT

FRIDAY, 28 FEBRUARY

• • 09:30 -12:30 Members Support and Facilities Forum (Virtual)

Committee Programme

TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2025

• Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, (National Assembly), Briefing by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on annual reports on the implementation of the Child Justice Act, 16th Floor, The Towers, Foreshore Cape Town, 09:30

• Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings (National Council of Provinces), Progress report of the executive undertakings made by the Minister of Water and Sanitation: During the Sitting of 16 July 2024, Consideration of outstanding minutes, M314, Third floor, Marks Building, 10:00-13:00

• Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources, (National Council of Provinces). Meeting with Prf. M. Isaacs, UWC on events leading up to the formation of the small-scale fishery sector, Consideration and Adoption of Minutes, Virtual meeting platform, 10:00-16:00

• Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), Hearing on the Audit Outcomes and Financial Statements of the Department of Military Veterans, Denel, and SIU Investigations conducted, M514, Fifth floor, Marks Building, 09:00 -13:00

• Portfolio Committee on Employment & Labour, (National Assembly), Briefing by the Department of Employment and Labour on the Analysis, Implications and Impact of the President’s SONA 2025; and Consideration for adoption of the Draft Minutes of 12 February 2025. Room 1, Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) Building 11th Floor, Grand Parade, 33 Heerengracht St, Cape Town, 10:00

WEDNESDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2025

• Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, (National Assembly), Briefing by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Department on annual reports on the implementation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 16th Floor, The Towers, Foreshore Cape Town, 09:30

• Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Assembly), Briefing by the DPWI on progress regarding outstanding legislation (Public Works Bill, Infrastructure Development Bill, CBE Bill and CIDB Bill, Consideration and adoption of minute, Virtual meeting platform, 10:30

• Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, (National Assembly), Briefing by the Department of Human Settlement on the Third Quarter Report October-December 2024, National Department of Human Settlements, Virtual meeting platform, 09:00-13:00

• Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, (National Council of Provinces). Briefing by the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa on its Performance Plan and Budget for 2024/25 financial year. Consideration and adoption of minutes. Virtual meeting, 10:00 – 13:00

• Select Committee on Public Infrastructure & Minister in the Presidency, (National Council of Provinces), Consideration of Protocol to Amend the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft. Consideration of International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunkers Oil Pollution Damage. Briefing by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on the following matters relating to the Independent Development Trust (IDT), which are: Update on the finalisation of the 2023/24 Annual Financial Statements. The Department assessment of the IDT solvency, supply chain management processes and internal financial controls. NCOP Committees Strategic Planning Session], M314, 3rd floor, Marks Building, 10:00 – 13:00

• Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), Consideration of 3rd Quarter Crime Statistics 2024/25. Virtual meeting platform, 09:00-12:30

• Portfolio Committee on Health, (National Assembly), Briefing by Team Free Sanitary Pads on their petition on menstrual health and hygiene management], Virtual meeting platform, 09:30 – 13:00

• Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration (National Assembly), Briefing by the Department of Public Service and Administration on the first to third quarter performance of 2024-2025 financial year; Briefing by the National School of Government on the first to third quarter performance of 2024-2025 financial year; Briefing by the Centre for Public Service Innovation on the first to third quarter performance of 2024-2025 financial year; Consideration and adoption of the minutes. Virtual meeting platform, 10h00-13h00

• Portfolio Committee on Social Development (National Assembly), Briefing by SASSA and DSD on the progress made on the investigation on vulnerabilities in the SRD grant application and payment system; Response by the Department on the Gauteng High Court judgement on the matter between the Institute for Democratic Justice, #Paythegrants and DSD, SASSA vs Minister of Fine on the Constitutional Validity of Regulations for SRD Grant; Consideration and adoption of minutes. Good Hope Chamber, Parliament: 09:30 – 13:00

• Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), Hearing on the Annual Reports of Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSECTA). M514, Fifth floor, Marks Building, 09:00 -14:00

THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2025

• Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Assembly), Committee Strategic Planning Session (2024 – 2029), M46, Ground floor, Marks building, 09:30 – 12:30

• Multi -Party Women’s Caucus, (National Assembly), (National Council of Provinces), Consideration and Adoption of the First term committee program; Finalisation of the Steering Committee membership. Virtual meeting platform, 18:00-19:00

• Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), Hearing on the Eskom’s Audit outcomes and Financial Statements for 2023/24. M514, Fifth floor, Marks Building, 14:00 -17:00

FRIDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2025

• Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Assembly), Committee Strategic Planning Session (2024 – 2029)], Good Hope Chamber, 09:30 – 12:30

• Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), Update by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on investigations conducted regarding the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). Virtual meeting platform, 09:00 -13:00

Tablings

Referral to Committees of papers tabled:

• Standing Committee on Auditor-General, Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Letter from the Auditor-General dated 15 February 2025, to the Speaker of the National Assembly, advising Parliament of the reasons for the delay in finalising the audits within the allocated three months.

• Portfolio Committee on Health & Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Report and Financial Statements of the National Health Laboratory Service for 2023-24, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2023-24.

• Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development: Proclamation No R.248, published in Government Gazette No. 52084, dated 14 February 2025: Referral of Matters to Existing Special Investigating Unit: in respect of the affairs of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality: Water and Sanitation Services, in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act No. 74 of 1996).

• Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament: January 2025 Financial Statement of Parliament, tabled in terms of sections 51 and 54 of the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislature Act, 2009 (Act No. 10 of 2009).

• Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration:

1. Revised Annual Performance Plan of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) for 2024/25.
2. Amatola Water‘s proposed increase in water tariffs for 2025-26, tabled in terms of section 42 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003).
3. Overberg Water’s Proposed increase in Water Tariffs for 2025-26, tabled in terms of section 42 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003).
4. Magalies Water’s Proposed increase in Water Tariffs for 2025-26, tabled in terms of section 42 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003).
5. Vaal Central Water’s proposed increase in water tariffs for 2025-26, tabled in terms of section 42 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003).
6. Rand Water’s proposed increase in water tariffs for 2025-26, tabled in terms of section 42 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003).
7. Lepelle Northern Water’s proposed increase in water tariffs for 2025-26, tabled in terms of section 42 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003).
8. Umgeni Uthukela Water’s proposed increase in water tariffs for 2025-26, tabled in terms of section 42 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003).

National Assembly and National Council of Provinces

• The Minister of Health: Report and Financial Statements of the National Health Laboratory Service for 2023-24, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2023-24.
• The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Proclamation No R.248, published in Government Gazette No. 52084, dated 14 February 2025: Referral of Matters to Existing Special Investigating Unit: in respect of the affairs of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality: Water and Sanitation Services, in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act No. 74 of 1996).
• The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Report dated 11 February 2025 on the confirmation of suspension of Ms R Govender, Magistrate at Lenyenye, Limpopo, submitted in terms of section 13(4)(b) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No. 90 of 1993).

Legislation

Calls for Comments

• • Discussion Paper 168: Project 94 – The South African Law Reform Commission (Commission) invites you to comment on its PROJECT 94 Discussion Paper 168, which addresses the need for the adoption of a generic mediation statute dealing with commercial, civil and community mediation. Submissions must be received by no later than 30 April 2025

• • 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

• • Applications/Nominations: Ombud for the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Services – The amendments to the National Small Enterprise Act, 2024 (Act No. 21 of 2024) (“the NSEA”) created an Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Service, which is accountable to the Minister of Small Business Development and the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. Submissions must be received by no later than 28 February 2025

• • One-Stop Border Post Bill – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs invites you to make written submissions on the One-Stop Border Post Bill [B 12 – 2024] that was tabled before Parliament on 11 September 2024. Submissions must be received by no later than 28 February 2025

• • Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Draft Bill 2024 – The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has publishes the draft Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill 2024, and is asking you to comment. Submissions must be received by no later than 28 February 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. Submissions must be received by no later than 24 February 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