As the end of the year approaches, another busy week lies ahead for members of parliament.
On Tuesday the National Assembly (NA) will consider the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Service’s reports on two pieces of legislation that has received media attention – the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA) as well as the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill.
On Wednesday the Ministers in the Social Services cluster will answer questions in the NA. The Cluster comprises the Departments of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Basic Education, Human Settlement, Water and Sanitation, Health, and Social Development.
The Minister of Electricity, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, will also brief the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises on the energy action plan.
The National Council of Provinces will on Thursday debate the rising cost of living and the impact it has on the quality of life of citizens.
An item scheduled for discussion on Thursday in the NA during a virtual mini-plenary is the EFF’s draft resolution to close the Israel Embassy in South Africa and suspend all diplomatic relations with the country.
1. Parliamentary Programme
TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2023
14:00 – ±19:15 PLENARY (HYBRID)
1. Consideration of Report of PC on Transport on Marine Oil Pollution (Preparedness, Response and Cooperation) Bill [B 10 – 2022] (s76(1)) (ATC, 24 October 2023, p 70)
2. Second Reading debate – Marine Oil Pollution (Preparedness, Response and Cooperation) Bill [B10B – 2022] (s76(1)) (77)
3. Consideration of Report of PC on Justice and Correctional Services on Divorce Amendment Bill [B 22 – 2023] (s75) (A TC, 31 October 2023, p 5) (54) (declarations)
4. Second Reading – Divorce Amendment Bill [B22 – 2023] (s75)
5. Consideration of Report of PC on Justice and Correctional Services on Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Amendment Bill [B 28 – 2023] (s75) (ATC, 1 November 2023, p 56) (54) (declarations)
6. Second Reading – Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Amendment Bill [B 28B – 2023] (s75)
7. Consideration of Report of PC on Justice and Correctional Services on Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill [B 19 – 2020] (s75) (ATC, 1 November 2023, p 53) (54) (declarations)
8. Second Reading – Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill [B 19B – 2020] (s75)
9. Consideration of Report of Chief Whips’ Forum on Benchmarking Study Visits to Ireland (12 –14 June 2023) and Kenya (19 -21 June 2023) (ATC, 26 September 2023, p 6) (76)
10. Consideration of Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of PC on Mineral Resources and Energy (ATC, 17 October 2023, p 50) (declarations)
11. Consideration of Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of PC on Police on 2022/23 Annual Report of South African Police Service (Saps) (ATC, 20 October 2023, p 275) (declarations)
12. Consideration of Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of PC on Police on Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for the 2022/23 financial year (ATC, 20 October 2023) (declarations)
13. Consideration of Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of PC on Police on Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) for 2022/23 financial year (ATC, 20 October 2023) (declarations)
14. Consideration of Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of PC on Police on Civilian Secretariat for Police Services (CSPS) performance for 2022/2023 financial year (ATC, 20 October 2023) (declarations)
15. Decision of question on reports debated in mini-plenary on 10 November:
-Request for Approval of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)
-Study visit to Republic of Korea
-International Study Tour to Kenya
-Joint study tour to Germany from 25 June 2023 to 1 July 2023
-Oversight visit to vacant state-owned properties of South African embassies in Germany and Portugal
-Oversight visit to National Treasury
-2022/23 Third and Fourth Quarter Performance and Expenditure Report of Department of Communications and Digital Technologies
WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2023
15:00 – ±19:30 PLENARY (HYBRID)
1. Questions for oral reply: Cluster 2: Social Services
2. Consideration of Report of Standing Committee on Finance on 2023 Revised Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals (ATC, November 2023) (90)
THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2023
14:00 – ±17:00 MINI-PLENARY SESSIONS (VIRTUAL)
Mini-plenary 1:
1. Draft resolution (Mr J S Malema): Removal of the Israel Embassy in South Africa and suspension of all diplomatic relations with Israel (90)
2. Subject for discussion (Ms P A Phetlhe): The significance of the expanded composition of the nations comprising the BRICS Bloc to advance the south- south agenda and the transformation of the international multilateral institutions (90)
Mini-plenary 2:
3. Subject for discussion (Mr S M Jafta): Evaluating the role played by Chapter Nine institutions in promoting constitutional democracy in post-Apartheid South Africa (90)
4. Subject for discussion (Ms N P Peacock): Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies in the fight against violent crimes and to tackle illicit economic activities like illegal mining, extortion and economic sabotage (90)
Mini-plenary 3:
5. Subject for discussion (Dr D T George): The desperately needed relief measures, including expanding the zero-VAT-rated food basket, that the Government should take immediately to alleviate the negative impact of the inflating cost of living crisis on South African households (90)
6. Subject for discussion (Mr B S Yabo): Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies to conserve water and minimise the impact of natural disasters on the provision of basic services (90)
2. Committee Programme
TUESDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2023
Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, (National Assembly), [Day 1 of public hearings on the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill [B24- 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00
Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) on the following: 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill; 2023 Adjustments Appropriation Bill; and 2023 Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00
Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Department of Tourism on its 2022/23 Annual Report; Briefing by the Department of Tourism on its First and Second Quarterly reports for the 2023/24 financial year; Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, (National Assembly), [Formal consideration of the A and B Bills of the Companies A/Bs; Briefing on the E and F Bills of the Copyright and of the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bills], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
Select Committee on Health and Social Services, (National Council of Provinces), [Consideration of the Negotiating Mandates on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], sec 76 and the responses to mandates by the Department of Health; Briefing by the Department of Health on the ratification of the treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA); Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, (National Assembly), [Further deliberations on the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Bill [B8 – 2021]; and adoption of outstanding minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
Portfolio Committee on Transport, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of the Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report (BRRR): finalisation of the observations and the recommendations; Consideration and adoption of minutes of proceedings], Committee Room M314, Third Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 10:00- 13:00
WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2023
Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) on the following: 2023 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill; 2023 Adjustments Appropriation Bill; and 2023 Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00
Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), [Continuation with Clause-by- clause consideration of the Independent Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill [B21- 2023]; Briefing by SAPS on the following aspects: salary backage, benefits, housing allowance, injuries, well-being programme and the organisational structure of the SAPS], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of A list of the bills; Consideration and adoption of the Bills as amended; Committee report on the Bills (for Public Administration Management Amendment Bill [B10 -2023] and Public Service Amendment Bill [B13 -2023])], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-13:00
Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [Meeting with former Brigadier Jap Burger, SAPS, concerning allegations of corrupt and fraudulent activities and other maladministration at Eskom], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-14:00
Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, (National Assembly), [Briefing by Minister of Electricity on the energy action plan], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00
Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, (National Assembly), [Briefing by DEL on the Petition by Solidarity and Cape Forum regarding EE regulations; and on the Revised Annual Performance Plan of DEL – 2023/24], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00
Select Committee on Security and Justice, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Correctional Services on the Public Submissions to the Correctional Services Amendment Bill [B14-2023]; Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Divorce Amendment Bill [B22 – 2023] (National Assembly – section 75); Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Amendment Bill [B28B – 2023] (National Assembly – section 75); Briefing by the Ministry and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill [B19B-2020]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00
FRIDAY, 17 NOVEBMER 2023
Standing Committee on Finance, (National Assembly), [Response by National Treasury to the submissions received on the Public Procurement Bill [B18 – 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on the findings and recommendations of the South African National Survey on Health, Life Experiences, and Family Relations aka the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) study and how it will inform the National GBV strategy and plans], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
