Vol 02 Official newspaper of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa Issue 10
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA www.parliament.gov.za parliamentofrsa 2 INSESSION NEWS “We will rise again” says 2021 SONA President Ramaphosa anchored during #SONA21 to four government priorities
President Cyril Ramaphosa focused his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on just four priorities for 2021. Firstly, to defeat the coronavirus pandemic; secondly, accelerate economic recovery; thirdly, implement economic reforms to create sustainable jobs and drive inclusive growth; and finally, fight corruption and strengthen the state, writes Mava Lukani.
President Cyril Ramaphosa Delivering the 2021 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in a hybrid joint sitting of Parliament, President Cyril Ramaphosa took the nation down memory lane to the release of former President Nelson Mandela 31 years ago, when he walked out of the gates of Victor Verster prison as a free person, a living embodiment of the resilience and courage of the South African people, writes Mava Lukani.
President Ramaphosa said: of the most diverse on the have been infected with the “On the day of his release, planet. Fynbos is also very coronavirus and the more Madiba gave his first public adaptable and thrives in hot, than 45 000 people who are address here in Cape Town, dry summers and cool, rainy known to have died from where he reminded South winters. And every once in Covid-19. “Beyond these HISTORY: Hybrid joint sitting of Parliament Africans that there were a while, it needs fire to burn statistics lies a human story difficult days ahead, and through it, so that seeds of tragedy and pain. It is In previous years, SONA basic health protocols, the that the battle was far from can be released, plants can also a story of courage and would have included six or devastation caused by this being won.” Quoting former rejuvenate and the whole resilience. The year ahead seven priority areas for the virus could have been far President Mandela, President cycle of life can begin again. must be a time for change, government’s plans for the worse,” the President said. Ramaphosa said: “Now is “Throughout the summer, the for progress and for rebirth, year, but President Ramaphosa the time to intensify the burned foliage lies desolate,” and it must be a year in said he will address the other Part of the government’s struggle on all fronts. To relax President Ramaphosa said. which we rise again,” the important elements of the measures to combat our efforts now would be a “But when the autumn rains President said. government’s programme for the disease include the mistake which generations return, the seeds germinate, the year in the coming weeks. intensification of prevention to come will not be able to and its life cycle begins all efforts and strengthening the forgive.” over again.” President ramaphosa health system. In addition, emphasised on the nation’s the government is planning In counting the great cost Nearly a year has passed recovery from Covid-19, a massive vaccination of the past year, President since South Africa saw its as South Africa has just programme to save lives and Ramaphosa said we may be first case of Covid-19. “As we emerged from the second dramatically reduce infections tempted to lose faith. “But we look on the grave damage wave of infections, driven by across the population. can get through this. Because that this disease has caused,” a new variant of the virus. we are a nation of heroes.” the President continued, “we This second wave was more President Ramaphosa He compared our resilience to know that like the fynbos, like severe, the President said, and mentioned the recent South Africa’s extraordinary all those who have walked cost many more lives than the setback to these plans, in fybos family of plants that this land before us, we will first. “Had the government that one of the vaccines the have thrived on the southern- rise again.” not moved quickly to restrict government had procured, the most tip of Africa for 40 movement and activity, had AstraZeneca vaccine, offers million years. This group of The President remembered the government not prepared minimal protection from mild plants included the national the nearly one-and-a-half its health facilities, had South to moderate infection by the flower, the protea, and is one million South Africans who Africans not observed the new variant known as 501Y SONA 3
V2. “This is according to global Covax facility. early findings of a study Four priority by our scientists and This stock of vaccines will researchers. The government be complemented by other applauds these scientists vaccines that are available inteventions will for leading this research to South Africa through and providing new evidence the African Union’s African drive economic that is vital for guiding our Vaccine Acquisition Task response. Since this variant Team facility. Pfizer has is now the dominant variant also committed 20 million growth Editor in our country, these findings vaccine doses, the President Brent Simons have significant implications said, commencing with During the State of the Nation Address Production editor for the pace, design and deliveries at the end of the Mava Lukani sequencing of our vaccine first quarter. (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa said programme,” he said. the government will focus on four priority Design and layout MIND TRIX MEDIA President Ramaphosa economic interventions. They are: a rollout While it should not delay assured South Africans Copy editors of infrastructure throughout the country; an Jane Henshall, Vusumzi Nobadula the start of the vaccination that all medication programme by much, it imported into the country increase in local production; an employment Writers will affect the choice of is monitored, evaluated, stimulus to create jobs and support livelihoods; Mava Lukani, Abel Mputing, Sakhile Mokoena, Malatswa vaccines and the manner of investigated, inspected and and the rapid expansion of energy generation Molepo their deployment. “The first registered by the South capacity, writes Mava Lukani. Photography phase of our vaccination African Health Products Mlandeli Puzi, programme, which is Regulatory Authority. “We Zwelethemba Kostile targeted at health and will continue to use the On infrastructure, he said: On support to increase local Distribution & subscriptions other frontline workers, science-driven approach “We knew that to achieve production and to make Jacqueline Zils will now use the Johnson that has served us well this objective we would need South African exports globally Publisher & Johnson vaccine, which since the earliest days of to steadily rebuild technical competitive, the President Parliament of the Republic of has been shown to be the pandemic,” he added. skills within government to announced that social South Africa effective against the 501Y prepare and manage large partners that participated Printer V2 variant.” infrastructure projects. The in the development of the Vision Enterprises government has developed Economic Reconstruction and He announced that the an infrastructure investment Recovery Plan have agreed to Section Manager: Publishing and Production government has secured project pipeline worth work together to reduce South Shirley Montsho nine million doses of the R340 billion in network Africa’s reliance on imports by Copyright Johnson & Johnson vaccine industries such as energy, 20% over the next five years. INSESSION is is published by and that the first batch of water, transport and the Information and Content 80 000 doses will arrive in telecommunications. These As the Covid-19 pandemic Development Unit of the Parliamentary Communication the country the following projects include two major forced the closure of global Services of the Parliament week. Further consignments human settlements projects value chains, the government of the Republic of South Africa. All material published is that will provide homes to will arrive over the next four has been able to speed up copyrighted and cannot be weeks, totalling 500 000 almost 68 000 households this initiative as the local reproduced without the written Johnson & Johnson vaccines. in Gauteng. Similar human supply chains opened to permission of the publisher. In addition, he said: “We settlements projects are locally manufactured products. EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES have secured 12 million planned in other provinces.” To this end, Cabinet approved Telephone 021 403 8738 Fax 021 403 8096 vaccine doses from the the SMME [Small, Medium and E-mail On the creation of new cities, Micro Enterprises] Focused [email protected] the President said the draft Localisation Policy Framework, Subscriptions [email protected] masterplan for a smart city, which identified 1 000 Post which will become home products. PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000 to between 350 000 to 500 OUR IDEALS 000 people within the next Furthermore, the departments Vision decade, was completed in of Small Business An activist and responsive people’s Parliament that November 2020 and is now Development and of Trade, improves the quality of life of out for public comment. Industry and Competition South Africans and ensures are supporting SMMEs to enduring equality in our society. Meanwhile, the Infrastructure access larger domestic and Strategic Objectives Investment Plan identifies international markets. “These Strengthening oversight and accountability; roads projects worth R19 efforts are supported by enhancing public involvement; billion covering the spine robust manufacturing support deepening engagement in of the South African road programmes,” he added. international fora; strengthening cooperative network. Work is underway government; to finalise project finance On industrialisation, which strengthening legislative capacity. structuring for these projects. is underpinned by sector Resources have been master plans to rejuvenate BOOK A TOUR committed from the fiscus to and grow key industries, To tour Parliament Telephone 021 403 2266 support the construction and the President reported that E-mail [email protected] rehabilitation of the major N1, four master plans have been SYMBOLS OF AUTHORITY: Mace and Black Rod N2, and N3 highways. completed and signed to 4 INSESSION NEWS date. These are part of the social compact between labour, business, government Covid19 vaccination programme and communities and have already had an impact in their respective industries. will rely on collaboration, says
Through the implementation President of the poultry master plan, the industry has invested President Cyril Ramaphosa told the nation that the success of the country’s vaccination R800 million to upgrade programme will rely on active collaboration between all sectors of society. The government production. South Africa now produces an additional one is greatly encouraged by the active involvement of business, labour, the health industry and million chickens every week. medical schemes in preparing for this mass vaccination drive, writes Mava Lukani. The sugar master plan was signed during the lockdown, with a commitment from large users of sugar to procure at least 80% of their sugar needs from local growers. “Through the implementation of the plan, last year saw a rise in local production and a decline in imported sugar, creating stability for an industry which employs about 85 000 workers,” he said.
“As we have overcome before, now stands at a staggering than five million people we will overcome again and 30.8%. As a result of the above the food poverty line, rise. But it is not just this relief measures that we helping to alleviate hunger disease that we must defeat. implemented and the phased in a moment of great crisis. We must overcome poverty reopening of the economy, and hunger, joblessness and we expect to see a strong “To date,” he continued, inequality. We must overcome recovery in employment by “more than R57 billion in a legacy of exclusion and the end of 2021.” wage support has been paid dispossession that continues to more than 4.5 million to impoverish our people, As the government worked workers through the Special and which this pandemic has to contain the spread of the UIF TERS [Unemployment severely worsened,” he said. virus, it also had to take Insurance Fund Temporary extraordinary measures Employer/Employee Relief He reported that government’s to support ordinary South Scheme]. More than R1.3 plans have had to be Africans, assist businesses in billion has been provided adapted in response to distress and protect people’s in support mainly for the global emergency of livelihoods. “The social and small- and medium-sized Covid-19. Budgets have had economic relief package that businesses.” to be reprioritised and many we introduced in April last programmes have had to be year is the largest intervention In addition, more than R70 deferred. Over the past year, of its kind in our history. It billion in tax relief was South Africa has experienced identified measures worth extended to businesses in a sharp decline in growth a total of R500 billion – or distress. Around R18.9 billion and a significant increase about 10% of our GDP [gross in loans have been approved in unemployment. “Poverty domestic product] – to provide for 13 000 businesses is on the rise. Inequality is cash directly to the poorest through the loan guarantee deepening. In the third quarter households, to provide wage scheme. of 2020, our economy was 6% support to workers and to smaller than it was in the last provide various forms of relief quarter of 2019.” to struggling businesses.
He reported that 1.7 million “A total of 18 million people, fewer people were employed or close to one-third of the in the third quarter of 2020 population, received additional than in the first quarter, grant payments through these before the pandemic struck. relief measures. It is estimated “Our unemployment rate that this grant lifted more SONA 5
State-owned enterprises are an increasing liability, says President
Speaking on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) during the State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said they have been paralysed by mismanagement and looting. This has turned them into an increasingly heavy burden for tax payers,writes Abel Mputing.
Commitment to fight crime will help promote
The disruptive effects of economy. Part of Eskom’s economic Covid-19 have compounded turnaround strategy hinges the problem, according to the on its restructuring process, President and placed further which seeks to ensure that recovery pressure on the economy. generation, distribution and However, the Presidential transmission operate as State-Owned Enterprises independent legal entities. As South Africa charts its way out of the Council has outlined a clear This will be coupled with the ravages of unemployment and declining set of reforms that will enable addition of renewable energy economic growth imposed by the Covid-19 SOEs to fulfil their mandate for sources and independent pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa growth and development. energy producers to the national grid. committed his administration to focusing on Legislation for SOEs will be fighting crime,writes Malatswa Molepo. tabled in Cabinet this financial These moves form part of year and in Parliament in the broader structural economic The pledge to fight crime to maintain the confidence following year. In addition, reforms aimed at propelling that President Ramaphosa of its citizens and promote a centralised SOEs model high economic growth made during his State of respect for the rule of law. will be implemented. “A rates and employment. This the Nation Address (SONA) But this will soon change centralised SOEs model is commitment is championed has been identified as when crime-fighting pillars being implemented this by Operation Vulindlela, one of the enablers of announced by the President financial year, which will which draws critical skills economic growth. The are implemented. ensure a standardised and resources from both Institute for Security Studies governance, financial the National Treasury and (ISS) has argued that it is The President said there management and operational the President’s office. The not surprising that crime has been a great effort in performance framework President conceded that and violence remain so rebuilding capacity within the for all SOEs to ensure that “these reforms are necessary disturbingly high in South law enforcement agencies as a they are responsive to the to reduce costs and barriers to Africa. In fact, it is surprising way of ensuring effectiveness country’s needs and the entry, increase competition, that there is not more of those bodies. “Critical implementation of the stimulate new investment and of it, given the country’s leadership positions have National Development Plan.” create space for new entrants violent past as poverty been filled with capable, in the market”. and inequality continue to experienced and trustworthy Turning to Eskom, President deepen and increase. professionals,” President Ramaphosa assured the Ramaphosa said. nation that hard work is According to the ISS, crime being done to ensure that will be exacerbated by the Another horrid crime that load shedding does not effects of Covid-19, and the President highlighted as impact negatively on the that the state has failed a concern is the scourge of 6 INSESSION NEWS corruption, which has been information and resources. do our oversight diligently laid bare by evidence given The Fusion Centre, according as Parliament, using the at the Zondo Commission to President Ramaphosa, has Political parties powers vested in us by the of Inquiry. As a remedy, the brought many cases to trial Constitution, we are able to President announced that and preserved or recovered in Parliament achieve decisive outcomes,” the government has started millions of rands in public she said. the implementation of the funds. National Anti-Corruption debate SONA Strategy, which lays out the To encourage economic basis for a comprehensive activity and reverse the 6% Debating President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State and integrated society-wide contraction of the economy of the Nation Address (SONA), political response to corruption. in the third quarter of 2020, parties represented in Parliament had diverse an effort will be made by “We will shortly be appointing government to fight crimes opinions on the speech, with some bashing members of the National like cable theft, railway the government and accused the President of Anti-Corruption Advisory infrastructure vandalism, failing to inspire confidence in his address to Council, which is a multi- land invasions, construction the nation, writes Sakhile Mokoena. sectoral body that will oversee site disruptions, and attacks the initial implementation on truck drivers, because Mr John Steenhuisen of the strategy and the these types of crimes hamper Some political parties robust oversight to ensure establishment of an economic activity and argued that the speech was accountability and fight First to denounce President independent statutory anti- discourage investment. a replication of previous corruption. Ramaphosa’s address was the corruption body that will addresses with no evidence leader of the official opposition report to Parliament. President Ramaphosa of improvement on promises In an apparent response (the Democratic Alliance), informed the country that made in the past. However, to claims made by former Mr John Steenhuisen, who “Cooperation among law task teams have been set for African National Congress Members of Parliament in the claimed that there is a growing enforcement agencies has up in a number of provinces (ANC), the speech was a Zondo Commission that the realisation that the President also been highlighted as to deal with extortion and reflection of a government that ANC’s parliamentary caucus cannot tackle the big issues an effective tool to ensure violence on sites of economic was “focused, determined and was protecting corruption of the day. “Except for a few alliance in fighting crime. activity. “We are also fast- hard at work”. and lenient on implicated lines on Covid-19 and the There is improved cooperation tracking the implementation government officials, the vaccines, this SONA was more and sharing of resources and capacitation of the Border Chief Whip said: “I want to or less the same as the ones between the respective Management Agency to curb state it categorically that no in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The law enforcement agencies, illegal immigration and cross- member of the ANC has ever same burning issues are still enabling a more integrated border crimes,” the President been instructed to cover up right there at the top of the approach to investigations said. corruption. On the contrary, we President’s agenda – promises and prosecutions,” President instructed all our committee made in previous SONAs – Ramaphosa said. As South Africa contemplates chairpersons, whips and but very little evidence of a life post-Covid-19, it will members to leave no stone improvement,” Mr Steenhuisen To strengthen collaboration also anticipate a crime-free unturned and hold those said. and cooperation, the President country that is focused on responsible for the deeply announced the establishment economic growth, that creates disturbing acts of corruption He also argued that the of a fusion centre, which employment for the millions accountable. “We reject the President’s entire speech was narrative that the ANC caucus brings together key law of work-ready adults in the Ms Pemmy Majodina full of massive contradictions enforcement agencies to share country. has sought to micromanage between noble-sounding According to the ANC’s Chief committees and to prevent pledges and the realities of Whip in the National Assembly, them from performing their the government’s actions, and Ms Pemmy Majodina, the duties.” exposed a huge gap between President, “gave full account what was promised and what of the 2020 state of the Ms Majodina also told the the government is able to do nation and crafted a clear way joint sitting about her party’s or willing to do. “The President forward and implementation commitment to ensure the spoke of fixing the public plan for 2021 … Mr President, 6th Parliament remains service as he did in last year’s the spirit of your address consistent in taking action SONA, but what he really was an appeal for resilience against corruption and means is that he wants to and courage in this time of crime, regardless of who is continue with the ANC’s state crisis that we are facing, with implicated. capture project through the two major challenges – the policy of cadre deployment. coronavirus and struggling “We have already economic growth. We join demonstrated this Mr Steenhuisen also millions of South Africans in commitment in the manner accused the government of expressing confidence in your in which we have processed discouraging entrepreneurship government Mr President – the AG’s [Auditor-General’s] and making it as hard as focused, determined and hard first report on the expenditure possible for small, medium, at work,” said the Chief Whip. of Covid-19 relief funds. The and micro enterprises oversight committees called (SMMEs) to survive because of She also reiterated the the respective Ministers and unreliable power supply, rigid ANC parliamentary DGs [Dirctors-General] to labour laws and incompetent caucus’s commitment to account accordingly, when we state bureaucracy. He also SONA DEBATE 7 opposed expropriation without adding that the country was on his party’s stance on Christian Democratic Party “corruption, unemployment compensation, arguing already in recession for three government’s the black (ACDP), Rev Kenneth Meshoe, and a poorly performing that it is the antithesis of quarters before the outbreak empowerment policy, saying said the speech was a repeat economy were there even strengthening agricultural of coronavirus. This was made this was discrimination against of what the President has said before Covid-19”. output. “It is a massive worse by the fact that the whites. “Covid-19 tourism relief in previous SONAs, with the deterrent to investment, not government’s contribution grants and the equity grants exception of the government’s “We still say restore the R400 only in agriculture, but in all to gross domestic product excluded white South Africans, priority to fight coronavirus. billion informal economy to sectors of our economy,” he continues to decline due to the but the irony is that there are “Whilst the ACDP welcomes the citizens in order to have said. reduction of the budget. South white business people who the update of the economic a meaningful impact on the Africa’s industrial capacity was employ black people. Why recovery plan, we are reduction of unemployment Reacting to the President’s not growing because there don’t you want to assist them nevertheless concerned that and poverty. It cannot be that announcement of an anti- was no coherent and cogent to keep their employees.? the upcoming World Economic more than 70% of the most corruption advisory council, industrial policy for industrial That is discrimination,” said Mr Forum’s (WEF’s) great reset basic level of the economy is Mr Steenhuisen said the expansion. Groenewald. in August will jeopardise in the hands of non-citizens. promise was meant to create the government’s economic Prioritising citizens in the an illusion that something was recovery plan. informal economy and jobs being done. “We don’t need is long overdue,” argued ATM another council or panel or “On the face of it, our NDP leader, Mr Vuyo Zungula. agency. We need to bring back [National Development Plan] the Scorpions with their 93% and the WEF’s great reset have conviction rate,” he said. one major goal in common, they both aim for equality by 2030. However, there are huge disparities between the two. one of the strategies of the NDP is to broaden ownership of assets to historically Mr Bantu Holomisa disadvantaged groups, while Mr Mangosuthu Buthelezi according to the WEF’s great The leader of the United reset, you will own nothing Inkatha Freedom Party leader Democratic Movement (UDM), and you will be happy. How is (IFP) Prince Mangosuthu Mr Bantu Holomisa, said South that possible?” remarked Rev Mr Mandla Galo Buthelezi was more Africa needs a competent Meshoe. concerned about corruption in government that can create Mr Mandla Galo of the Mr Julius Malema government, and suggested decent living conditions and He also criticised the African Independent Congress that the costs of vaccines advance the livelihoods of programme for “compassionate (AIC) commended the The leader of the Economic and their rollout must be all its people, especially the access” to the drug Ivermectin President’s speech, which Freedom Fighters (EFF), Mr scrutinised by Parliament’s poor. He also commended the for patients with Covid-19 as he said was anchored in key Julius Malema, labelled the Standing Committee on Public Commission of Inquiry into “never intended to provide developmental, high-impact President as “incompetent, Accounts (Scopa). Allegations of State Capture for access to medicine, and growth initiatives such as incapacitated and the most “The problem in our country uncovering explosive evidence demonstrating no political boosting the manufacturing unreliable human being. Three is corruption. It is unfortunate of corruption that he said has will to be compassionate sector in order to ignite growth years since you took office, you that despite the admission that been allowed to flourish for at all, given the regulatory through job creation and have not achieved anything South Africa is in an economic many years. obstacles the programme export revenue. that is worth mentioning – crisis, there were still those presents. This is disgraceful nothing to celebrate under who saw a pandemic as a “There is still more to uncover and a flagrant undermining of He also advised President your leadership. The conditions chance for themselves to get and we must allow the Zondo the fundamental of the human Ramaphosa to “urgently of our people are getting rich. Parliament must work Commission the time and rights of the patients and proclaim a fully-fledged import worse, while coronavirus has hard to halt maladministration resources to finish its job, and doctors,” said Rev Meshoe. substitution agency to be also worsened them. and fraud in government,” ultimately the money that was housed within the Department Prince Buthelezi said. stolen must be returned to the of Trade, Industry and “When you were elected people and the guilty must go Competition. This agency will President in 2018, the to jail,” said Mr Holomisa. have an import substitution unemployment rate was strategy to focus on infantile 26.1%. Today it has increased industries, preferential to 30.1%, and the number procurement and targeted of unemployed people has funding to textile, clothing, increased to well over 10 footwear and fibre industries”. million. More than two million people who had jobs when you took office, no longer have jobs; you must take responsibility for that,” said Mr Mr Vuyo Zungula Malema. Mr Pieter Groenewald The African Transformation Mr Malema also argued that Movement (ATM) warned the despite empty promises at Mr Pieter Groenewald, the President not to use Covid-19 Rev Kenneth Meshoe investment summits, the leader of the Freedom Front as an excuse for government’s Mr Ahmed Shaik-Emam economy continues to shrink, Plus (FF+), was consistent The leader of the African poor performance, saying 8 INSESSION NEWS
investment into human Mr Ahmed Shaik-Emam of settlements to transform the National Freedom Party townships into liveable places Vaccine rollout under (NEP) said: “We admit there that uphold the dignity of the have been successes in the people. Parliament’s spotlight country but equally, there have been failures. The fact He also spoke strongly of the matter is that despite against corruption, saying it the successes, we are still “deprives our people of basic Opposition parties in the National Assembly (NA) want the facing a crisis in South Africa,” services – the employment government to be more transparent and provide a detailed plan, as he said. He also condemned of incompetent, unqualified well as estimated costs of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout process, writes corruption, saying the country officials, illegal awarding of Sakhile Mokoena. was losing about R300 billion tenders, and non-payment of annually in infrastructure service providers are among developed any plan for the development because of non- the challenges faced by vaccination of the nation until it implementation of projects and local municipalities. “We are is too late and the consequence underspending. confident that the rollout of of this is devastating for the the District Developmental lives of millions of our people. Model countrywide will While the whole world is enhance greater cooperation, moving at speed to vaccinate, coordination and joint we are grasping at straws here, planning. This will in turn taking whatever crumbs we can address the uneven capacity get. The truth of the matter is and development between that we were caught unawares different provinces by as far as vaccine procurement enhancing coordination of and rollout is concerned,” said support and monitoring of Dr Thembekwayo. local government by the national and provincial For Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa of governments,” said Mr the Inkatha Freedom Party Mohai. They argue that the absence of establishment of an ad hoc (IFP), the disappointing part Mr Ganief Hendrickcs a plan could deny Parliament committee that will oversee was the “ongoing politicisation The Leader of Al Jama-ah, Mr and the public the right to the work of the Inter-Ministerial of the vaccine programme and Ganief Hendricks, applauded scrutinise the process and hold Committee “so that we can the apparent inability of the the President for speeding up the government accountable. demand an efficient rollout of various role players to work legislation to fight gender- The Democratic Alliance (DA) this vaccine with clear deadlines, together in the interest of based violence. He also added sponsored a debate titled and make sure that the process the people of South Africa . . that the President must “An urgent matter of national is free from corruption”. . We are disappointed by the now work on ending racial importance: rollout of Covid-19 ongoing concern on the secrecy discrimination in the Cape Flats vaccination plan for South “The longer we take to vaccinate and the lack of transparency in and capture the ganglands. He Africa”, which was led by Ms our people, the higher the vaccine-related matters.” said Al Jama-ah also wants the Siviwe Gwarube. chances of a various mutation, NDP to be revisited to respond which undermines the efficacy Mr Steve Swart of the African to the post-Covid new normal. Ms Gwarube told the hybrid of vaccines and worsens our Christian Democratic Party sitting of the NA that Parliament chances against the third wave,” Mr Mzwanele Nyhotso (ACDP) said the lack of needs to be appraised of the she said. transparency around the rollout According to Pan African vaccine rollout process in a of the vaccine must raise Congress’s (PAC’s) Mr detailed fashion, in a codified Dr Suzan Thembekwayo, alarms, given the experience Mzwanele Nyhontso: “SONA plan that can be tabled for speaking on behalf of the of widespread corruption continues to be a make- scrutiny. “The excuse that no Economic Freedom Fighters with regard to the personal believe form of address codified plan could be produced (EFF), also lashed out at protective equipment (PPE) without content. It continues because the environment is government for failing to funds. “Frontline healthcare to fail the dispossessed, most highly competitive and forever develop a plan to vaccinate the workers were left without exploited, the dehumanised, changing, is simply lazy at best> nation and waiting until it was PPE, many succumbed to the the African indigenous Parliament cannot be treated too late to begin negotiating virus. This is disgraceful, so majority. SONA failed dismally as an inconvenient stop for the with vaccine manufactures. it is critical that an open and to address the fundamental executive. transparent process is followed interests of the African “We knew that with the virus Mr Seiso Mohai with the rollout of the vaccine majority. Land remains an “Some of the questions that affecting all corners of the programme. It will indeed be The Chief Whip of the National item of conflict in Azania must be answered are about the world, the rat race towards the a fertile ground for looting Council of Provinces (NCOP), and it must be repossessed manufacturers that government development of a vaccine would and corruption with between Mr Seiso Mohai, welcomed and restored to its rightful is negotiating with. This does lead to rich countries hoarding R25 million and R30 billion the President’s vision on the owners,” he said. not mean undermining sensitive the vaccine for themselves to expected to be spent. This transformation of apartheid’s negotiations, but an indication the exclusion and detriment of must be prevented at all costs spatial development patterns of where we are, where we are developing countries, which will through proper oversight and through the creation of post- acquiring vaccines, what are the be hardest hit by the virus over accountability by Parliament,” apartheid smart cities, saying doses and what are the expected an extended period of time. Mr Swart said. this was long overdue. Mr timelines?” she asked. Mohai also called for greater Ms Gwarube also proposed the “Despite this, you never COMMITTEE ROOMS 9
The African Transformation government officials. Movement (ATM) feels Parliament has been robbed “Instead of saving South Presiding Officers have of meaningful input that Africans from the Covid-19 would not only have enhanced virus, money is wasted by a mammoth task of the safety of our people, this government. It has even but ensured there was more wasted millions of rands to prudency and circumspection buy wrong vaccines such as maintaining discipline than the commercial interests the AstraZeneca, for example, that seem to have been the though scientists had told priority. government that that vaccine when debates are heated won’t work,” said Mr Madisha. The Presiding Officers of Parliament have a mammoth task of “We are meeting in the aftermath of the litany of Responding to the criticism maintaining the decorum of the House, regardless of the levels of heat blunders that have been from the opposition parties, because of divergence of views on issues on the floor of the House. made by the President and the Minister of Health, Insession writer Mava Lukani spoke to Mr Jomo Nyambi who is his army of advisors, including Dr Zweli Mkhize, said the the NCOP’s House Chairperson responsible for committees. the Minister of Health and procurement of vaccines has his eminent scientists. It is been a complex process that not clear which processes required negotiations with were followed to procure the multinational manufactures of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, vaccines in the face of vaccine were there no better options, nationalism and protectionism. what are the implications of He said the government rolling out a vaccine which is has signed a non-disclosure not FDA-approved?” asked the agreements (NDAs) with most ATM Member of Parliament, Ms of the leading manufacturers Thandiswa Marawu. of vaccines, which allows South Africa to gain a critical Welcoming the beginning insight into their supply lines, of the vaccination drive in their manufacturing plants South Africa and calling it a and possible blockages in the moment of hope after years manufacturing pipeline. This of unprecedented trauma, allows government to pursue disruption and loss, Mr Shaun negotiations over the prices August of the Good Party also and volumes and timelines for warned that the arrival of the delivery. first vaccine on our shores does not signal that the war “We need to correct the was over. “Covid-19 is as erroneous impression that unpredictable as it is deadly, there are questions that we are nobody anywhere in the world avoiding to answer because knows what the next variant of the NDAs. Rather it should might bring. Let us focus on the be understood that the NDAs logistics of safely vaccinating must be respected in order to the nation. protect the process of timely acquisitions, but we will make “We are pleased that the that information available to vaccine will be free to all South this House when it is ready,” Mr Jomo Nyambi Africans. This is not only fair to said Dr Mkhize. our radically unequal society, it ML: The heat of robustness platforms. Members are provinces. Why are also shuts down opportunities Dr Mkhize also told the on issues sometimes results guided by rules and joint delegates to the NCOP are for crooks looking to skim House that the signing of in Members of Parliament rules in their participation in referred to by their parties money off the project. Anyone the final agreement requires ignoring House rules and the business of Parliament, instead of provinces during caught trying to sell the vaccine thorough consultations with inadvertently play each whether it’s physical, virtual debates in the NCOP and in or jump the queue must be National Treasury to provide other and not the ball. This or hybrid attendance. joint sittings? stopped and prosecuted,” said guidance so that Public Finance sometimes wastes time, Mr August. Management Act, and that as the focus becomes on It is the duty of the Presiding Mr Nyambi’s response: other related legislation is explaining rules. Officers to enforce these rules On the matter of speakers Mr Willie Madisha of the upheld before final agreements across all platforms. Presiding being selected by their Congress of the People (Cope) are signed. “Once all these Mr Nyambi’s response: Officers have access to the respective parties during said government’s claims that contracts are signed, they On your first question same levers of control on any NCOP sittings even though the it was working hard to save will be made available to the regarding how the presidium of the available platforms and NCOP represents provinces, South Africans from Covid-19 National Treasury and the is able to maintain order their own conduct, like any the following needs to be is not true. He also accused Auditor-General’s office for during virtual sittings, I need other Member, is subject to taken into consideration. Our the government of wasting perusal,” added Dr Mkhize. to indicate that the decorum the rules. So it’s rules, rules, system of government is a money and allowing corruption of the House or any sitting rules! party-based democracy, which by government officials and of Parliament needs to be should not seek to diminish close family members of maintained across all three ML: The NCOP represents the voices of individual parties 10 INSESSION NEWS as voted for by the people in their various constituencies.
The proportionality of such representation finds expression in the number of “SO IT’S RULES, Members per party in the NCOP and the time allocated to each party during debates. RULES, RULES!” The NCOP cannot, therefore, appropriate to itself the administrative function of fielding speakers, as this would diminish party political - Mr Kouakou voices which represent the political spectrum of our country.
Appropriations committee calls for turnaround strategies of public entities to show progress
Reporting on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to the Standing Committee on Appropriations recently, the National Treasury told the committee that the SABC received a R3.2 billion recapitalisation in 2019/20 and that the entity has R1.18 billion remaining from that amount, writes Abel Mputing.
The committee also heard that Members asked why Sapo is still committee, Mr S’fiso Buthelezi, staff costs remain a concern, unable to adequately service asked: “Is there value for money and doubts remain as to its clientele, given such a large in these investments? And what the broadcaster’s ongoing capital injection. The committee do we do to ensure that Eskom sustainability and profitability, in heard that if Sapo is not stops being a huge liability the cross of all departments’ police department does not a period of low revenue growth. restructured it will collapse, and to our national budget?” In expenditure transgressions spend funds allocated to it,” he Part of the SABC’s financial that it is unable to continue in response, the National Treasury because, as the custodian of the added. misfortunes are attributed to its current form without annual said: “If we did not assist Eskom, public purse, it has an oversight the non-funding of its public government funding to cover its it would not be in position to role to play over the expenditure He further urged the delegation mandate. The National Treasury losses. repay its debt. It would have of public funds. “We have been from the National Treasury to told the committee a Bill is defaulted and the state would told of turnaround strategies contemplate the implications being planned to address this According to the National be compelled to settle its R300 of public entities, but there is of non-expenditure in relation discrepancy and to determine Treasury, of all public entities, billion debt, or it would be little progress in this regard. This to job creation, economic how “to differentiate the public Eskom received the lion’s share liquidated. In all, it would be in a impacts on committee Members stimulation and to our debt and commercial mandates, and of the recapitalisation funds. much worst condition than now.” because it is we who have to to gross domestic product the funding model for both”. The entity received R49 billion approve the recapitalisation of ratio. “Non-expenditure by in 2020, R56 billion in 2021 and The committee heard that R2 these entities, and that seems to government departments has The committee heard that the R31.7 billion in 2022 budget billion of the R10 billion bailout bear no fruits.” cross-sectional effects and South African Post Office (Sapo) allocations. It has an R8 million for the South African Airways implications on the socio- is also at a critical juncture in its projected internal cost saving, (SAA) is allocated for employees’ On the South African Police economic programmes of history. It received R2.947 billion which will rise to R12 million at costs. The National Treasury told Service (SAPS), Mr Buthelezi the government. As such, it in the in 2018 Adjustments the end of this financial year. But the committee that the extent said it is unacceptable to hear should not be treated lightly, Budget, R1.5 billion of which debt, liquidity and load shedding of the business rescuers’ salaries of underspending when there but as a sign of incompetency was allocated for universal challenges, among other things, have not yet been made public. is a spike in crime, particularly and non-compliance, if not an service obligations (USO), which persist. crimes of gender-based violence. indictment of our government’s is part of its developmental Mr Buthelezi remarked that “These are implications that developmental agenda,” he mandate. However, committee The Chairperson of the the National Treasury carries should be considered when the said. APPROPRIATIONS 11 National Treasury accounts to Standing Committee on Appropriations
The National Treasury presented the 2020/21 3rd quarter expenditure before the Standing Committee on Appropriations to account for government expenditure and deliverables, as specified by the Minister of Finance during his tabling and subsequent readjustment of the national budget in 2020, writes Abel Mputing.
On the whole, the preliminary that are approved by the data for the third quarter of relevant Treasury. “Hence 2020/21 shows spending their programmes are of R730.9 billion, which is not necessarily linked to lower by R767.1 million or deliverable objectives. Their 0.1% against the projected spending is only in economic expenditure of R731.6 billion. classification terms.” Mr S’fiso Buthelezi, Chairperson Standing Committee on Appropriations
The National Treasury’s Most Members of the shareholder in February and Senior Economist, Dr Mampho committee regretted the it will soon table its intent Modise, said goods and fact that the Passenger to dispose the non-core Standing services contributed to the Rail Agency of South Africa assets before the Cabinet. largest proportion of the lower (Prasa) only spent R700 This would bring R3 billion to Committee on than projected underspending million of its R4 billion Denel’s coffers. Debate with by R4.3 billion, compensation allocation, particularly as the our defence force and other of employees by R2 billion, rail network is experiencing strategic clients of Denel Appropriations payment for capital assets underinvestment and will resume to ensure Denel by R1.9 billion. On the vandalism. The Chief Director returns to its past glory and calls for other hand, Dr Modise said of State-Owned Enterprises is financially viable,” replied the transfer and subsidies, at National Treasury, Mr Mr Rajlal. payment for financial assets Ravesh Rajlal, replied: “Given deviators from and interest and rent on land the current magnitude of are higher than projected by vandalism, it’s now no procurement R3.9 billion, R3.4 billion and longer a maintenance issue, R5.7 million, respectively. it’s now part of its capital Dr Modise said Covid-19 expenditure.” rules to be expenditure amounted to R24.5 billion at the end of the The National Treasury’s named third quarter. report also flagged Denel as a concern, especially in The Standing Committee on Appropriations Dr Modise further added that meeting its R1.2 billion debt. received a briefing recently from the Chief the National Treasury’s higher Mr Rajlal said: “The major than projected spending was concern is that Denel has Procurement Officer on various departments’ mainly attributed to exchange liquidity problems. It has not procurement deviations, modifications and rate fluctuations in the progressed in the sale of its expansions of contracts in the last quarter payment for financial assets non-core assets and has not of the current financial year 2019/20,writes for South Africa’s sixth capital found equity partnerships contribution instalment to the to help turn the company Abel Mputing. New Development Bank. around.” The Procurement Office, Sometimes there is a In her reportage of the Denel had a turnaround which is based in the National legal basis for deviations, financial performance of strategy that was approved Treasury, is charged with the but only in urgent and public entities, Dr Modise in 2018 that was meant task of advancing fair and emergency circumstances pointed out the difficulty of to turn it into a profitable competitive bidding norms that compel a department verifying data, because some company. “Why it has not and standards to ensure to deviate from the normal are not based on the basic yet been implemented?” compliance with the rules competitive procurement accounting system (BAS). asked Mr Xolisile Qayiso, and regulations governing rules. According to the Acting They do not have budget another Member of the procurement processes in Chief Procurement Officer, programme structures, as is committee. “There will be government departments. Ms Estelle Setan, a deviation the case with departments further discussions with the can occur if there is a serious 12 INSESSION NEWS threat to property, life or due Ms Setan, which “makes it Mr Buthelezi added: “I am to a natural disaster. This hard for us to conduct our due asking this question because deviation must be recorded diligence and carry out our there is often an outcry within 10 working days if it mandate.” when we, for instance, exceeds R1 million. approve R56 billion for the Covid-19 has exacerbated recapitalisation of entities A deviation can also is granted this sorry state of affairs and such as Eskom. The citizens to departments to modify departments have been slow of this country would be and expand a contract due to submit Covid-19-related even more outraged to learn to contractual obligations. procurement reports to the that these funds are not, at According to procurement Procurement Office. “Of 805 best, spent responsibly and, rules, a modification or expected reports, only 171 at worst, in accordance to expansion of a contract is have been received thus far,” the procurement laws of this allowed if a project had to Ms Setan said. country . . . We need not be be extended due unforeseen pedestrian when we deal circumstances or the nature of COMMITTEE WANTED ANSWERS with this matter because a contact initially entered into. The committee asked if much of the corruption there is enough capacity and fraud engulfing the The committee heard that in the office to uphold its government departments the spike in deviations in the mandate of curbing wasteful emanate from lack of second quarter of the current expenditure. In response, Ms compliance with procurement financial year is attributed Setan said: “We don’t have rules and regulations.” to eight applications from enough personnel with the Eskom amounting to R68.7 necessary skills to deal with Mr Buthelezi demanded that billion and which forms part of government institutions that the office should provide the renegotiating its coal supply. have complex supply chain committee with the top five Apart this, the committee management systems. The departments and entities heard that of the 231 office’s incapacity to make a that consistently deviate from deviation applications worth follow-up on the outstanding procurement procedures in well over R10 billion, the top departments’ Covid-19 successive financial years, 20 departments and entities procurement reports is a case and those that are yet to that applied for deviations are in point.” provide it with Covid-19 the Department of Health and procurement reports. the Passenger Rail Agency of The committee also asked Ms South Africa (Prasa). Setan about consequences He told Ms Setan that it is for accounting officers obvious that the Procurement Ms Setan said much of the who ignore the National Office is overstretched and Department of Health’s Treasury’s disapproval of their needs to be capacitated deviations relate to its departments’ deviations, as urgently to address one of procurement of vaccines a deviation without approval the components that is critical and Covid-19-related is a serious problem that in the management of public commitments. As for Prasa, cannot be tolerated. Ms Setan funds. “It is unacceptable she said: “Well over R1.1 said this is an issue that the that we still don’t have an billion has been granted to National Treasury is currently integrated supply chain Prasa for technical assistance, grappling with. management system across rehabilitation, maintenance of all departments and that networks and security.” Ms Setan told the it remains as fragmented committee that the office’s as it is, given the strategic In her view, many responsibility is to write rules role that procurement plays departments are departing of engagement. “We are in addressing economic from competitive bidding basically policy makers. We inequalities and in effecting processes, which is a worrying ensure that departments have service delivery.” trend. Even more alarming is the necessary instruments the tendency by accounting in place to follow fair He said there is so much at officers to implement procurement processes. Our stake here, and added: “We deviations in the face of mandate is limited to that.” can’t afford to be pedestrian National Treasury disapproval. about the inefficiencies The Chairperson of the that confront this office. She told the committee that committee, Mr S’fiso Our country’s development an automated procurement Buthelezi, asked: “Who agenda hinges on this portal, which will integrate approves these deviations. office’s ability to do its work a central supply database Who allows departments efficiently and effectively. to curb non-compliance has to deviate from the law?” Its inception was galvanised not yet been implemented. In response, Ms Setan said: by this realisation. As a “This is compounded by the “There is a Governance, committee, we should not scarcity of information from Compliance and Monitoring spare any effort in righting departments regarding their Unit at the National Treasury all the wrongs that beset its procurement processes,” said that approves deviations.” mandate.” TRADITIONAL LEADERS 13
Committee on Higher President Education calls for Ramaphosa improved management commends at NSFAS traditional
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, legislation and policy on the leaders for their determination of benefits Science and Technology has called for close for the advisors to the collaboration between the National Student former NSFAS administrator, role in fighting Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS); the Office which is not captured in the of the Auditor-General (AG); the Department audit report, Mr Mapulane Covid-19 requested NSFAS to furnish of Education, Science and Technology; and the committee with Addressing the annual opening of the the National Treasury to improve the scheme’s information related to this National House of Traditional Leaders performance,writes Mava Lukani. irregular expenditure. (NHTL), in Parliament recently, President
The committee welcomed Cyril Ramaphosa commended traditional the new NSFAS Board leaders for their contribution to the fight Chairperson, Mr Ernest against the coronavirus, writes Sakhile Khosa and the new CEO, Mokoena. Mr Andile Nongogo, and assured them of its support. The hybid sitting of the NHTL working with the government, It urged them to improve was attended by traditional conducted rigorous awareness the situation at NSFAS leaders from across the campaigns and monitoring, so that it is able to meet country, including the recently helping to ensure that illegal its mandate of serving recognised Khoisan leaders initiation schools were students. following the passing of closed down,” said President the Traditional and Khoisan Ramaphosa. After the new CEO briefed Leadership Bill, as well as the committee on plans Parliament’s Presiding Officers Traditional leaders assisted to implement the AG’s and representatives from with the procurement of recommendations, the neighbouring Botswana. personal protective equipment committee asked NSFAS (PPE) and the distribution of to return soon to include The President hailed the NHTL, food parcels, together with The committee received a 2018/19 and 2019/20. This timeframes in the the provincial houses and the various stakeholders, and briefing recently from the AG resulted in NSFAS carrying presentation. The committee Congress of Traditional Leaders the NHTL partnered with the on NSFAS’s audit outcomes, as irregular expenditure of R50 told the new NSFAS board of South Africa (Contralesa) Solidarity Fund to implement well as a briefing from NSFAS billion. and CEO that they have for their management of the the Farming Inputs Voucher on its annual report for the inherited a mess created customary initiation process project, which helped mitigate 2019/20 financial year. The The Chairperson of the by their predecessors, for during the pandemic. “As the impact of the pandemic delegation was led by the committee, Mr Philly which they will not be held hard a decision as it was to on traditional farming Minister of Higher Education, Mapulane, said the 2018/19 accountable. However, they make,” the President said, communities. Science and Technology, Dr and 2019/20 financial years will have to present an “you agreed that we suspend Blade Nzimande. are the worst years in NSFAS’s excellent report at the end initiation in all provinces “I have further been advised administration, in which it of the 2020/21 financial when the pandemic was at that the Department of The committee heard that received a qualified audit year. its height, and as a result, Traditional Affairs and the NSFAS received a qualified opinion and lots of material we were able to ensure that Department of Agriculture, audit opinion with findings findings. “Year after year fewer people were exposed to Land Reform and Rural for the 2019/20 financial from that period the situation the virus. Development now have year because of poor quality worsened. This is the period a Memorandum of financial statements that in which the entity was under “I would like to express Understanding in support of lacked credible evidence an administrator who was my gratitude to you as agricultural projects in rural reporting and had not been supposed to turn it around, traditional leaders for joining communities. The Invest prepared according to the but worsened it,” he said. the government to fight the Rural Master Plan, which Public Finance Management pandemic. You worked with aims to unlock the potential Act. The failure to gazette the us to ensure that communities of traditional communities, new funding criteria, Mr observe regulations and was launched in Phokeng on The AG also highlighted Mapulane said presents an protocols, including with the 25th of February 2021. that the NSFAS had failed to opportunity to write a strong respect to funerals and other The master plan is expected consult the Minister in revising motivation to the National gatherings. Traditional leaders, to capacitate traditional the criteria and conditions Treasury to resolve the matter. through their structures and leaders, traditional councils for loans and bursaries in On non-compliance with 14 INSESSION NEWS Secretary to the National Assembly explains timeframe for processing bills tabled by the Minister of Finance in the National Assembly
Insession writer Mava Lukani spoke to the Secretary to the National Assembly (NA), Mr Masibulele Xaso, about timeframe within which the Bills that the Minister of Finance tabled in the National Assembly when he delivered the Budget Speech should be processed, timeframe within which the President must assent Bills that are referred to him by Parliament, and amendment or repeal of pre-1994 legislation identified by Parliament as not in line with the current constitutional and communities to fight functional and progressive dispensation. rural poverty and foster self- relations”. sufficiency,” the President said. The Chairperson of the however, prescribe specific NHTL, Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu, timeframes by when such On the matter of powers said the President’s address actions must be done. To and functions of traditional to the traditional leaders ensure clarity, Parliament leaders, President Ramaphosa was very encouraging is engaging the Presidency said broad consultations that and confirmed the reality with a view to agree on a were agreed to last year will that it was not going to framework in fulfilling the need to be conducted. He be business as usual. He aforementioned constitutional also confirmed that plans assured the President of obligations. to host the Presidential the NHTL’s support: “We are Summit on Land were still in going to work differently, On pre-1994 legislation, Mr place, and encouraged each we are going to work Xaso said, during the Fifth provincial house to have together with government Administration, Parliament their its engagements to and with speed, our people identified a list of pre-1994 inform the process leading are getting impatient,” said acts that remain on the statue up to the summit. The Ikosi Mahlangu. Mr Masibulele Xaso books and which may require consultations would include On legislation tabled by the soon as possible thereafter. amendment or repeal to the broader society, such as Minister of Finance during • The Division of Revenue Bill: ensure consistency with the youth formations, women’s the Budget speech, which Parliament must adopt the Constitution. A record of this groups and people living with includes the Fiscal Framework Bill within 35 days after the legislation was communicated disabilities. and Revenue Proposals, the Fiscal Framework, or as soon to the executive in 2020, with Division of Revenue Bill, as possible thereafter. the intention that the Minister “We remain committed to and the Appropriation Bill, • The Appropriation Bill: responsible for administering hosting the Presidential Mr Xaso said the passage of Parliament must consider the each act would be identified Summit on Land and it is these bills is regulated by the Bill within four months after and Parliament informed critical that we resuscitate Money Bills Procedure and the start of the financial year. accordingly, so that it could the initial plans to convene Related Matters Act (2009). press for further action if provincial engagements The act determines that each On legislation referred to the needed. The matter is still beforehand. The institution of these instruments must be President for assent, Mr Xaso receiving attention. of traditional leadership considered sequentially by said Sections 79 and 84 of must be at the forefront of committees and the respective the Constitution states that NA passes Recognition both land reform and the Houses, within a particular when a bill is sent to him for of Customary Marriages agrarian revolution,” said the timeframe, as follows: assent, the President must Amendment Bill, NCOP President. He also described • Fiscal Framework and assent to and sign the Bill or, amends legislation government’s partnership Revenue Proposals: the should he have concerns about with traditional leaders as Standing Committees on its constitutionality, refer The National Assembly “sacrosanct” and for the Finance must report to each the Bill back to Parliament. (NA) recently passed the two to ensure “respectful, House within 16 days, or as The Constitution does not, Recognition of Customary OBITUARY 15
Marriages Amendment Bill 73 of 1998) (“Electoral Act”); [B5-20 (s76)] - Finance [B14D-17 (s76)] [B2B-20 (s75)] - Finance and the Bill will now be sent and the Local Government: 16. National Road Traffic A/B 3. Local Govt: Municipal 5. Upgrading of Land Tenure to the President for assent. Municipal Electoral Act, 2000 [B7-20 (s76)] - Transport Systems A/B [B2B-19 (s76)] Rights A/B [B6B] (Act No. 27 of 2000) (“Local 17. Transport Appeal Tribunal - Cogta The primary aim of the Bill Government: Municipal A/B [B8-20 (s76)] – 4. Auditing Profession A/B is to amend the Recognition Electoral Act”). Transport of Customary Marriages 18. Public Finance Act, 1998, by regulating Bills before Parliament: Management A/B [B13-20 proprietary consequences of (s76)] - Finance Covid-19 claims customary marriages entered 1. Customary Initiation Bill 19. Employment Equity A/B into before commencement of [B7D-18 (s76)] [B14-20 (s75)] - Labour the Act. 2. Local Govt: Municipal 20. Financial Sector Laws A/B committed Structures A/B [B19D-18 [B15-20 (s75)] – Finance The Bill also seeks to bring (s76)] (Plen 16/3) 21. Criminal Law (Sexual and diligent provisions of the 1998 Act in 3. Recognition of Customary Offences) A/B [B16-20 line with Constitutional Court Marriages A/B [B12B-19 (s75)] – Justice judgments in Ramuhovhi (s76)] (Plen 2/3) 22. Children’s A/B [B18-20 MP Prescilla and Others v President of 4. Criminal & Related Matters (s76)] – Social Development the Republic of South Africa A/B [B17B-20 (s75)] 23. Cannabis for Private Mantashe and Others and Gumede v 5. Correctional Services A/B Purposes Bill [B19-20 (s75)] President of the Republic of [B32-20 (s75)] (2nd Rd – Justice South Africa and Others. 9/3) 24. Domestic Violence A/B [B20-20 (s75)] – Justice These judgments found BILLS THAT ARE INTRODUCED 25. Compensation for s7(1) of the Recognition of AND TO BE REFERRED Occupational Injuries A/B Customary Marriages Act [B21-20 (s75)] - Labour to be inconsistent with the 1. Division of Revenue Bill 26. Expropriation Bill [B23-20 Constitution and invalid, [B3-21 (prop s76)] (2nd Rd (s76)] – Public Works because the provision limited 19/3) (NHTL) the right to human dignity and 2. Appropriation Bill [B4-21 27. Fund-raising A/B [B29-20 discriminated unfairly against (prop s77)] (s76)] – Social Development women on the basis of gender 28. Pension Funds A/B [B30- and race, ethnic or social BILLS BEFORE NA COMMITTEES 20 (s75)] – Finance origin. 29. Sectional Titles A/B [B31- 1. Protection of State 20 (s76)] – Agriculture Last year, the National Council Information Bill [B6H-2010 30. Agricultural Produce of Provinces (NCOP) passed (s75)] – Justice (returned) Agents A/B [B33-20 (s76)] the Bill with amendments 2. Liquor Products A/B [B10B- – Agriculture Ms Prescilla Mantashe and returned it to the NA for 2016 (s75)] – Agriculture 31. Electoral Laws 2nd A/B At the end of January, representative who brought concurrence. The NA agreed (NHTL) [B34-20 (s75)] – Home Parliament lost one of a unique perspective to the with these amendments at 3. Performers’ Protection A/B Affairs its Members, Ms Priscilla oversight and legislative work one of its plenary sessions [B24B-2016 (s75)] – Trade 32. Animals Protection A/B Mantashe. Ms Mantashe of the committees on which recently. (returned) [B1-21 (s76)] – Agriculture joined Parliament after the she served. 4. Traditional Courts Bill [B1D- 33. Disaster Management A/B 2014 general elections as The Chairperson of the The NCOP amends the 17 (s76)] - Justice [B2-21 (s76)] – Cogta a Member of the National Portfolio Committee on Electoral Laws Amendment 5. Copyright A/B [B13B-2017 (NHTL) Assembly (NA). She served Trade and Industry, Mr Duma Bill and agrees to restart the (s75)] – Trade (returned) 34. Special Appropriation on various parliamentary Nkosi, said: “Ms Mantashe process of appointing the 6. International Crimes Bill Bill [B5-21 (prop s77)] – committees, including the was a diligent member of National Youth Development [B37-17 (s75)] – Justice Appropriations NA’s Rules Committee, the our committee, who always Agency Board Members 7. Prevention of Hate Crimes 35. Ease of Doing Business Bill Joint Rules Committee and the provided valuable inputs. & Hate Speech Bill [B9-18 [B6-21 (prop s75)] – Public Portfolio Committee on Trade She had great institutional Meanwhile, during a virtual (s75)] – Justice Service and Industry. memory as she served on the sitting, the NCOP agreed to 8. State Liability A/B [B16-18 committee during the previous the Electoral Laws Amendment (s75)] – Justice ON NCOP ORDER PAPER The NA Speaker, Ms Thandi Parliament as well.” Bill with amendments and it 9. SA Reserve Bank A/B [B26- Modise, and the Chairperson will now be sent back to the 18 (s75)] – Finance 1. National Gambling A/B of the National Council of He added: “Issues of women National Assembly (NA) for 10. National Health A/B [B29- [B27B-18 (s76)] (Plen Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos empowerment, broad-based further consideration. 18 (s76)] – Health 10/3) Masondo, said Ms Mantashe black economic empowerment 11. Public Finance 2. Electoral Laws A/B [B22B- was a committed and and the upliftment of rural The Bill seeks, among other Management A/B [B41-18 20 (s75)] (Prop Am’s) (Plen hardworking Member of communities were close to things, to amend three (s76)] – Finance 2/3) Parliament. She carried her her heart and this was clear existing election-related laws 12. Civil Aviation A/B [B44-18 committee oversight work from her line of questions in preparation for forthcoming (s75)] – Transport BILLS BEFORE NCOP with diligence and passion, during our meetings with the local government elections. 13. National Health Insurance COMMITTEES they added, and was always department and its entities. These laws are the Electoral Bill [B11-19 (s76)] - Health driven by empathy for the We are truly saddened to Commission Act, 1996 (Act 14. Economic Regulation of 1. National Forests A/B [B11B- vulnerable, including workers have lost such a great fighter No. 51 of 1996) (“Electoral Transport Bill [B1-20 (s76)] 16 (s76)] – Land and rural communities. Her for the poor and vulnerable Commission Act”); the - Transport 2. National Environmental passing robs the institution communities.” Electoral Act, 1998 (Act No. 15. Fiscal Responsibility Bill Management Laws A/B of a well-versed public