Vol 02 Official newspaper of the Parliament of the Republic of Issue 03 2020

PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA www.parliament.gov.za parliamentofrsa 2 INSESSION NEWS

MPs want more information on how R20 billion will be used to mitigate impact of Covid-19 on municipalities

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) recently briefed the Portfolio Committee on Cogta on the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on municipalities. The committee wanted to know how the additional R20 billion stimulus package announced by President to cushion the municipalities would be used to ensure that municipalities fulfil their mandates at this time,writes Abel Mputing.

Mr

Briefing the committee, the stimulus package monthly and this is a means of municipalities’ budgets, in through a different process of the Deputy Minister of will therefore go a long to try to introduce controls order to allocate the stimulus disbursement. Cooperative Governance way, Mr Tau continued, to and to immediately counter package. The Chairperson of the and Traditional Affairs, Mr assist municipalities in this any mismanagement of the The committee asked the committee, Ms Faith Parks Tau, said that the distressful period. money by municipalities.” department to explain its Muthambi, said: “We are lockdown imposed to curb Mr Tau told the committee turnaround strategy for asking all these questions the spread of the pandemic that his presentation to them The committee also wanted the use of the R20 billion because we want to make gave rise to a situation in was a draft document for to know about any relief stimulus package, given the sure that this money will be which many municipalities the purpose of discussion measures to assist families poor track record of certain used for its intended purposes are unable to meet the on how best to manage who cannot afford water, municipalities on expenditure. and not for other purposes.” financial commitments. the stimulus package. His rates, electricity and other In response to that, Mr Tau She noted that in due course These commitments include department will continue to related payment obligations said the department will the department will provide payments to Eskom and the consult National Treasury and due to the lockdown. Mr use a vulnerability index in the committee with a plan water boards. other stakeholders to ensure Tau said the repurposing accordance with the financial on how the R20 billion will that the R20 billion stimulus of municipal grants is pressures that municipalities be used. “We want this plan, “This flies in the face of package is put to use. intended to address areas are faced with. He said when because it will inform our increasing demands for of municipalities’ liquidity it comes to municipalities oversight over this money,” municipalities to meet the He also singled out the critical and cash flows and to that lack capacity, the emphasised Ms Muthambi. increasing demands of water role Members of Parliament respond to the challenges of money will be channelled and sanitation, and to cater can play in contributing ideas unaffordability created by the for the most vulnerable on how the stimulus package pandemic. people, some of whom are could be use. However, homeless. Most significantly, members of the committee The committee also wanted this has affected the credit were disappointed that to know why it would take rate of the municipalities the department had few of until August for the stimulus and has affected the cost of their own ideas on spending package to be approved. borrowing for them from the the R20 billion. They were Committee members thought banks,” Mr Tau explained. also concerned to know if that more urgency was the department had any required, given the unusual The South African Local strategies in place to counter circumstances created by the Government Association the long-standing record of pandemic. Officials from the has pointed out that financial mismanagement, National Treasury, who were municipalities are currently ineptness and corruption in also in the meeting, told the using their limited resources many municipalities to ensure committee that the R20 billion to intervene in arresting that the R20 billion serves its stimulus package has to be the impact of the pandemic intended purpose. done through the Division on their communities. In response, Mr Tau said: “We of Revenue Bill, which is Municipalities’ expenditure are considering the dispensing still before Parliament. This patterns have shifted and of the money to be done process allows for the review Ms - Chairperson committee on COGTA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION 3

The Standing Committee on Appropriations Parliamentary invited the Public Service Commission to outline its input on the current budget and ‘virtual meetings the forthcoming adjusted budget to be tabled by the National Treasury in response to the save costs’ - unprecedented economic challenges posed by Covid-19. The committee’s process of briefing Public Service and consultation is a prelude to the pass- Editor ing of the Appropriation Bill, writes Abel Brent Simons Mputing. Production editor Commission Mava Lukani Design and layout The Public Service Covid-19 is an opportunity an accounting framework management skills in MIND TRIX MEDIA

Commission (PSC) plays for serious reflection at all that would curb wasteful various departments. Can Copy editors an important role in the levels on how to utilise expenditure and corruption. such courses be offered Jane Henshall, Vusumzi Nobadula appropriation of the budget the gains of the Fourth Asked by members of the as areas of demand in the Writers because it is responsible Industrial Revolution (4IR), committee as to which Public Service School?” Mr Abel Mputing, Sakhile Mokoena, for ensuring that there is Ms Nzimande added. “Our government programmes Buthelezi queried whether Mava Lukani

effective management of failure to deliver on it is now should be discontinued to this school provided value Photography public resources. It is also apparent. And if we don’t free funds to respond to for money, and conceded: Mlandeli Puzi, responsible for ensuring take advantage of it, it will challenges posed by the “We have to be honest. In Zwelethemba Kostile that there is value for disadvantage the future pandemic, Ms Nzimande public administration as a Distribution & subscriptions money in the way in which generation and the efficiency replied: “The non-payment whole we have fallen short Jacqueline Zils

public administration does of the public service. The of bonuses and freezing of in effective training to Publisher its work. government was enthusiastic wage increment are some ensure that public servants Parliament of the Republic of about the opportunities of of options that need to be are fit for purpose.” South Africa Committee Members the 4IR. However, its (4IR) explored.” Printer asked for the PSC’s views implementation has been There may be good Vision Enterprises on virtual interaction slow. The government must Committee members also schools of governance, Section Manager: between departments and ensure that this does not asked her about the lack of Mr Buthelezi continued, Publishing and Production parliamentary committees leave behind the very people effective internal controls and “but in each government Shirley Montsho

as a potential cost-saving it intends to serve.” the high cost of procurement. department there has Copyright measure. PSC Commissioner, Her response was: “Where to be a generic training INSESSION is is published by the Information and Content Ms Phumelele Nzimande, She further mentioned that there is a lack of generic unit that is responsive Development Unit of the responded: “We need if 4IR is embedded in the training for staff involved to the mandate of that Parliamentary Communication agility to make it possible operational strategies of the in this area in certain department”. Services of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. to save resources that public sector, chaos related to departments, training needs All material published is should be servicing our the distribution of food parcels to be provided. Where there’s The continued non- copyrighted and cannot be people. Virtual meetings could be avoided. “Was the an act of incompetency, those payment of small reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. should be the way to go in distribution of parcels efficient responsible for that should be businesses within 30 the future to save costs.” and effective? Was there held accountable.” days, as stipulated in EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Telephone 021 403 8738 value for money in how it was the regulations, irked Mr Fax 021 403 8096 In its presentation on the conducted? Could this have The Chairperson of the Buthelezi. “When we don’t E-mail Appropriation Bill to the been done electronically? committee, Mr Sfiso pay small businesses, we [email protected] Subscriptions Standing Committee on Buthelezi, noted: “The are breaking the back [email protected] Appropriations recently, The inefficiencies in service cardinal impression I have, of the very notion of Post PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000 the PSC also highlighted delivery would have been year in and year out, is economic development procurement as a risk area a thing of the past had we that over-expenditure is of black businesses in this OUR IDEALS for wastage and budget embraced the 4IR as part of indicative of poor project country.” Vision An activist and responsive leakages. Ms Nzimande, an operational strategy of the people’s Parliament that alluded to the fact that public sector. We would have improves the quality of life of South Africans and ensures the adjusted budget has gotten value for our money.” enduring equality in to take into consideration our society. amendments on the basis She also pointed out that the Strategic Objectives Strengthening oversight and of a risk-based approach. ever-increasing litigations accountability; Nonetheless, any further against the government are enhancing public involvement; expenditure cuts would untenable and pose a serious deepening engagement in international fora; affect performance and threat to the public purse. strengthening cooperative service delivery. “Head cuts “Ethics and a high standard of government; strengthening legislative in public service is always professionalism are needed capacity. an obvious target, but also to curb underperformance. we must not ignore the This is linked to the bigger BOOK A TOUR To tour Parliament value chain associated with concept of value for money Telephone 021 403 2266 that.” concept.” She warned that E-mail [email protected] the stimulus package needed

Mr Sifiso Buthelezi – Committee Chair 4 INSESSION NEWS

Speaker assures MPs of ‘virtual’ work capability during National Assembly’s Programme Committee meeting

The National Assembly’s (NA’s) Programme Committee used its first virtual meeting to assess the effectiveness of working on virtual platforms, writes Abel Mputing.

Mixed feelings were Presiding Officers to expressed by members of investigate these problems, the committee on the newly while others raised concerns adopted system. Some about the quality of commended it for cutting interaction emanating from excessive expenditure often the new system. They pointed incurred by departments out that often it is impossible when travelling to Cape to conduct these virtual Town to appear before the meetings in a cordial manner. parliamentary committees. On the other hand, others Furthermore, there is an complained about technical evasion of accountability glitches the system in cases where questions has brought to bear on are not fully answered by the oversight work of departments in virtual joint parliamentarians. committee meetings. This, they argued, often defeats the Ms Modise emphasised purpose of Parliament to hold unequivocally that the the executive accountable. administrators of committees need to be trained to be able Members of the committee to facilitate these meetings said the mandate of the effectively to ensure that their chairpersons of committees is Ms - Speaker of the National Assembly businesses are run thoroughly, to ensure that there is quality preparation of the committee to get used to electronic without any glitches. “This is interaction between the meetings is more important means of doing their work an unchartered terrain and committee and the executive, … It is of no use to be in and assured members of the it forces us to embrace the and this “should not be a committee meeting not Programme Committee that notion of e-Parliament in done haphazardly, but in a knowing what the department she, as well as the Acting a way that we have never structured manner to ensure will be presenting on. That Secretary to Parliament, the imagined before, and we that the quality of interaction defeats the very mandate Secretary to the National learn as we go.” in parliamentary meetings is of our parliamentary work. Assembly, and the Secretary not compromised in any way”. These are matters that the to the National Council of “Our commitment remains On the problem of chairpersons of committees Provinces will work with the to ensure the work of presentations that reach are expected to guard against, ICT department to ensure that committees is conducted members during committee to enable the committee to the system is strengthened. “OUR COMMITMENT without any compromise due meetings, Ms Modise stated get to the gist of things, rather REMAINS TO to technological ineptness on that “no document of any than glossing over them.” Ms Modise told the committee ENSURE THE WORK our part.” Ms Modise went on interaction between the two that she will ensure that in OF COMMITTEES to say that challenges with parties should be presented Reflecting on the need to future there is an ICT person IS CONDUCTED WITHOUT ANY virtual platforms are also for the first time in the improve the technical skills dedicated to each committee COMPROMISE DUE experienced by parliaments committee meeting. If that is of parliamentary staff in meeting to ensure their TO TECHNOLOGICAL in other countries. Referring the case, one cannot expect conducting virtual committee success. “We apologise for INEPTNESS ON OUR to the Zoom meeting app, to get a quality response from meetings, Ms Modise any shoddy work that has PART.” she mentioned that the departments” as the question mentioned that “we should be been experienced to date British parliament had also will also be compromised. worried about information and that affected the work of - MS THANDIE MODISE encountered glitches with it communications technology committees. We take full recently. Significantly, she highlighted (ICT), not the preparatory responsibility for that and we the need for committees to work of committees”. will ensure that that won’t Some members of the do their preparatory work happen again in the committee urged the more effectively. “Proper Ms Modise called upon MPs future.” PROGRAMME COMMITTEE MEETING 5 NA Programme Committee members express excitement on success of hybrid session

Members of the National Assembly’s Programme Committee expressed general excitement but also raised some con- cerns when they reflected on the first hybrid sitting of the National Assembly (NA) which took place recently for oral questions to the Ministers in the social services and governance departmental clusters, writes Mava Lukani.

The departments making also attributed to the full and (DStv Channel 408) but that about the poor answers up the clusters are Basic genuine cooperation between sitting, according to Mr Frolick, provided by certain ministers. Education; Health; Higher all the parties represented in attracted a lot of attention They suggested that to deal Education, Science and the NA. from members of the public with this problem the NA Technology; Human and MPs were called upon to should hold sessions for Settlements, Water On technical glitches that ensure that their behaviour questions to ministers in and Sanitation; Social caused stoppages here and during hybrid sittings of Tshwane, where ministers will Development; Sport, Arts there, members advised that the House promotes a good appear physically before the and Culture; Co-operative they must be trained on things image of Parliament. “We members of the NA. Governance and Traditional like handling microphones must be driven by that reality Affairs; the Ministry in the and cameras, and that IT of promoting the image of The Speaker of the NA THEY SAID IT Presidency; Public Service technicians must be allocated Parliament in whatever we do. and Chairperson of the NA WAS EXCITING and Administration; and to provide support to a certain It’s not the image of a party Programme Committee, Ms TO SEE THE NA Women, Youth and Persons number of members in each that is going to be affected, Thandi Modise, urged members ABLE TO DO with Disabilities. session. Members also called but of the Parliament of the to always keep the rules of for the table staff to improve Republic of South Africa,” said the House in mind when ITS BUSINESS The hybrid sitting consisted its assistance to the Presiding one participant in today’s they participate. She said she THROUGH of some members of the Officers. Asked to comment programming meeting. noted yesterday that a lack of A HYBRID NA physically present in on that, the Secretary to the adherence to NA rules affected SESSION, A the chamber while most NA, Mr Masibulele Xaso, said a Another suggestion from the quality of the session. She STEP THAT WAS participated via a video report on yesterday’s session members to improve said members must not make platform. The sitting was will be given to the members participation in a hybrid unnecessary interjections UNIMAGINABLE attended by 297 Members of the committee, and he will session included the use of one when a Minister is responding IN THE RECENT of Parliament (MPs) – 250 of comment after the report has podium, the one in front of the to a question. “When I apply PAST. them participated through been discussed by members. Speaker in the NA for members the rules, I’m not chastising the virtual platform, and Members suggested that, that are in the House, instead anybody. Always ensure 47 were in the National going forward, a hybrid session of members using microphones that you talk when you are Assembly (NA) Chamber in must be presided over by fitted on their tables. recognised,” she said. Cape Town. The questions to two Presiding Officers, one Some members complained the Ministers related to the for members in the House, government’s response to and the other for members the Covid-19 pandemic. who participate via the virtual platform. They said an enquiry The NA’s House Chairperson must be made to the relevant responsible for committees, scientists on wearing of a mask Mr , said for more than three hours. members’ attendance in the sitting’s question and answer They said it was exciting to see session was high, when the NA able to do its business compared to pre-Covid-19 through a hybrid session, a sittings. step that was unimaginable in the recent past. According to Members appreciated them, Covid-19 has shown that the manner in which the Parliament is ready to conduct Presiding Officers of the NA its business electronically and handled the session, despite that South Africa is ready to the difficulties arising from cross the Rubicon from the “old the fact that members were to the new normal”. not under one roof and it was the first time that such a Sittings of the Houses of session was undertaken. The Parliament are always success of the session was screened on Parliament’s TV 6 INSESSION NEWS

‘We must soldier on until we emerge, triumphantly’ - Masondo on Covid-19

In his opening address to the first virtual programme committee meeting of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), the NCOP Chairperson, Mr Amos Masondo, called on all South Africans to soldier on until it emerges triumphantly, writes Abel Mputing.

“We will prove to be stronger, “Many of them went well, their respective responses to because throughout history without any major disruptions, the Covid-19 pandemic,” says humankind has survived and there were no security the Chief Whip of the NCOP, Mr plagues. This will also come to threats reported.” He assured Seiso Mohai. pass. We should remain strong, members that Parliament was hopeful and united as a nation “ready to defuse such if they NCOP member Ms Cathleen and observe all the required ever arise.” Lubuschagne registered an rules and regulations as opposing view that NCOP stipulated,” said Mr Masondo. There was, however, a members cannot exercise common view that joint effective oversight over these After these stirring words, Mr committee meetings between Ministers because the rules and Masondo got down to business. the NCOP and NA need to be regulations of lockdown were He mentioned various synchronised better. There was never presented to the NCOP matters related to the NCOP’s also a view that the NA and before they came into effect. administration of committees NCOP committee Chairs should “If we need real accountability, and oversight obligations be seen as equals and not the rules should have been in its second parliamentary allow the former to be seen as tabled before Parliament. programme. In addition, it was having undue prominence over Whatever they are going to WE WILL PROVE noted that the joint committee the NCOP. tell us cannot be contested meetings between the NCOP because it is now law.” TO BE STRONGER, and National Assembly (NA) The NCOP planned to host the often clash, leaving the NCOP Department of Cooperative Mr Mohai interjected: “If we BECAUSE with no option but to miss Governance and Traditional understand the architecture some meetings. The problem Affairs (Cogta) and the of the NCOP well, we are not THROUGHOUT affects a small number of Department of Health acting on our own. If ministers NCOP members who serve on respectively, to interrogate come before us, they must HISTORY cluster committees, rather than and assess the impact of their be held accountable. And I individual committees, as is interventions and responses to am of the view that there are HUMANKIND HAS the case in the NA. Covid-19. “These presentations elements in their presentations will give the NCOP members that will enrich and capacitate SURVIVED PLAGUES. The House Chair of the NCOP, an opportunity to interact with our understand of the scope Mr Jomo Nyambi, reporting on the ministers, and they will be of their work, and how to use how committees have fared allowed to have a thorough that to hold them accountable with virtual meeting said: discussion with them to assess as members of the NCOP.” NCOP’S DEADLINE 7

NCOP meets deadline of passing 2020 Division of Revenue Bill

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) held its first virtual plenary recently to approve the 2020 Division of Revenue Bill; the ratification of two SA treaties with Bangladesh; the provisional suspension of a Pretoria chief magistrate; and the removal of a Johannesburg magistrate.

The 2020 Division of On 25 February 2020, the two governments. Having Revenue Bill provides for an Minister of Justice also tabled considered the requests, the equitable division of funds a report informing the NCOP committee recommended raised nationally among of the provisional suspension that the House approves the the national, provincial and from office of the Chief ratification of both Treaties local spheres of government, Magistrate of Pretoria, Mr in terms of section 231(2) of and also enable allocation Desmond Nair, pending the the Constitution. of funds to fight Covid-19. outcome of an investigation The Bill also provides into his fitness to hold the for determining each office as Magistrate as province’s equitable share required by section 13(3) of revenue and for any other (b) of the Magistrates Act. allocations to provinces, local Having considered the report government or municipalities from the Minister the Select from the national committee on Security and government’s share of the Justice recommended that revenue. Also specified the NCOP confirm Mr Nair’s are the conditions of those provisional suspension from allocations. The Select the office of Magistrate. Committee on Appropriations During the plenary the recommended that the NCOP House confirmed Mr. Nair’s agree to the Bill without provisional suspension. amendments and the House agreed. The NCOP plenary also ratified two treaties between The plenary of the NCOP the Government of the also considered and Republic of South Africa adopted two reports of and the Government of the the Select Committee on Republic of Bangladesh, as Security and Justice, which required by section 231(2) of recommended the removal the Constitution, 1996, which of an additional magistrate states that “an international from Johannesburg and the agreement binds the provisional suspension of a Republic only after it has Pretoria Chief Magistrate. been approved by resolution in both the National Having considered the Assembly and the National report, tabled by the Minister Council of Provinces”. The of Justice and Correctional NCOP assigned the Select Services on 27 November Committee on Security 2019 on the suspension from and Justice to consider office of Ms I Meyburgh, the two requests, tabled according to section 13(4) on 11 March 2020, that (b) of the Magistrates Parliament approves the Act, 1993 (Act No. 90 of ratification of the Extradition 1993), the committee Treaty (and the Explanatory recommended that the Memorandum to the NCOP resolves not to restore Treaty) and the Treaty on Ms Meyburgh to the office Mutual Legal Assistance in as Magistrate. The House Criminal Matters (and the adopted the committee’s Explanatory Memorandum recommendation. to the Treaty) between the 8 INSESSION NEWS

Parliament playing its part to prevent the abuse of women and children during lockdown

The Ministers of the Departments of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities; Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Basic Education; and Health appeared before the Members of the National Assembly (NA) to answer questions to determine the effectiveness of their departments’ responses to challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, writes Abel Mputing.

Questions to the Minister of and poverty. In response against local authorities who Ms Maite Nkoana -Mashabane - Minister in the Presidency Women in the Presidency, Ms to a question about how wrongly prevented businesses However, if there are such coronavirus, Dr Mkhize said a Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, many women have been from obtaining permits to occurrences and court rulings, protracted protocol governs included a question on assisted by the department operate. the department would diagnostic testing equipment. whether her department was to combat this, Ms Nkoana- bring them to the relevant “This involves their licensing considering any measures Mashabane explained that her “There are clear guidelines municipalities’ attention. and validation, but the during the lockdown to ensure department is working with of what kind of businesses current lack of diagnostic that women do not fall victim other departments and non- will be allowed to operate in To Dr , the equipment is a global to gender-based violence. In governmental organisations which stage of a lockdown,” Minister of Health, questions problem. This equipment is response to that, Ms Nkoana- (NGOs). “As of last week, she responded. “These are focused on the modelling critical in assessing the rate Mashabane said they work we donated valuable goods gazetted regulations. If there and data regime used in his of positivity. Lack of internal with women who go door to women who are victims was a confusion regarding department to determine capacity to manufacture our to door in the communities of gender-based violence. that, please bring it to the responses to the pandemic. own diagnostic equipment to assist vulnerable women Women in distress need more relevant authorities. It’s the “There are optimistic and is something we must as a to report cases of abuse. The than food. We also assisted first time we experience pessimistic models that we country start focusing on.” department started doing this them with emotional and this situation. If there are use,” the Minister responded. On what his department when her department realised moral support. We have since problems, they must be “They are not all cast in stone. intends to do to curb the that some of the lockdown formed a council that includes brought to our attention.” They are guides on how to spike of infections in hotspots regulations inadvertently NGOs, the South African Police deal with various scenarios. around the country, he said subjected women to abuse. Service, and the departments She was also asked about Generally speaking, different full-time teams of health of Justice, Public Service the High Court ruling against models have different experts have been sent to Ms Nkoana-Mashabane was and Social Development to municipalities that may projections. These projections these hotpots, accompanied also asked to elaborate on come up with a coordinated be introducing their own are being challenged and by the deployment of Cuban what her department is intervention to fight this permitting systems for NGOs are open for debate. We look doctors. “Twenty-eight of doing to inform the victims scourge.” and businesses distributing at them to get a sense of them will be deployed in the of gender-based violence food to communities during the problem at hand and to Western Cape. They will be about the assistance available Questions to the Minister the pandemic. Ms Dlamini- take aspects we think are focusing on the eight zones to them to improve their of Cooperative Governance Zuma was asked if the court significant, but we believe currently identified in the plight. She said that, apart and Traditional Affairs, Dr order has been brought to that the models’ accuracy will Western Cape and they have from the publication of the Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the relevant municipalities. improve as time goes by.” been seamlessly integrated regulations, the department included one on how the She responded that this there now.” uses various forms of department intends to responsibility does not On the question of increasing communication, including mitigate possible civil claims reside with her department. the rate of testing for radio, to communicate with the public in their languages to explain the department’s interventions to curb gender- based violence. “We also “THERE ARE CLEAR GUIDELINES OF WHAT KIND OF have a command centre BUSINESSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN WHICH where we share resources with the Department of Social STAGE OF A LOCKDOWN. IF THERE WAS A CONFUSION Development as a means to REGARDING THAT, PLEASE BRING IT TO THE RELEVANT alleviate their plight,” she AUTHORITIES. IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS, THEY MUST BE explained. BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION.”

The lockdown has also - MS MAITE NKOANA-MASHABANE contributed to a rise in hunger WOMEN’S CHARTER REVIEW 9 Reviewing the 1994 Women’s Charter

Parliament is engaged in a programme to gather information about the plight of women in every district across the country as part of an ongoing process to review the Women’s Charter, writes Sakhile Mokoena.

take stock of and assess exacerbated for women and the Statistician-General, Mr must be questioned. They This was the the achievements garnered girls simply by virtue of their Risenga Maluleke; the Deputy force young girls to leave announcement since 1994. The objective gender.” Minister of Women, Youth school early and become made by was also to critically assess and Persons with Disabilities, perpetually dependent on the systemic weaknesses In the coming months to Prof ; the abusers,” the Deputy Minister the Deputy that continue to impede the mitigate the pandemic’s Mayor of ZF Mgcawu; as well argued. She also said since Chairperson of the realisation of gender equality effects on women, Parliament as legislators, councillors and the Women’s Charter of 1954, in South Africa,” she said. will be criss-crossing the members of civil society. there was a need to take a National Council country, district by district, careful look at the national of Provinces The Deputy Chairperson gathering information on Deputy Minister Mkhize said gender machinery, which said 2020 marks the 25th the very specific challenges the process of reviewing seeks to end all forms or (NCOP), Ms anniversary of the Beijing that women are facing in the Women’s Charter was gender inequalities in South Sylvia Lucas, in a Platform for Action and the each district and locality. an opportunity to reflect Africa. year was earmarked to be “We will also seek to find on how far the country has video conferencing a ground-breaking one for ways of turning theory into come in implementing the engagement on the gender equality. However, practice and to change gender commitments made in Beijing with the outbreak of Covid-19, relations for the better. We 25 years ago, and to also look Women’s Charter even the limited gains will do this by embarking on at new commitments. She Review in the ZF made in the past decades a robust review process of the spoke strongly against sexual are at risk of being eroded. Women’s Charter, which will harassment in the workplace, Mgcawu District Instead, said Ms Lucas, the be underpinned by a strong places of worship, and at Municipality in pandemic is deepening pre- law reform element. home, and other violations the Northern existing inequalities and like rape and femicide, saying “IF WE WANT TO exposing vulnerabilities in “While we identify the daily these further stifle progress TACKLE POVERTY, Cape. social, political and economic structural barriers to gender that women make to move systems that continue to equality. We will also focus forward to be respected in WOMEN HAVE amplify the impact of the on reviewing the policies society. TO BE AT THE “2019 marked 25 years since pandemic on women. and legislation currently CENTRE.” the adoption of the 1994 in place, with the aim of “If we want to tackle poverty, Women’s Charter for Effective “Across every sphere,” Ms identifying gaps in legislation women have to be at the Equality. This milestone Lucas continued, “from health for amendment,” Ms Lucas centre. Also our cultural - MS SYLVIA LUCAS necessitated a 25-year to the economy, security explained. practices such as ukuthwala (a review of the entire women’s to social protection, the Other participants in the forced or arranged marriage) rights regime, in order to impact of Covid-19 is acutely virtual summit included should not be holy cows. They 10 INSESSION NEWS

Africa Day: Parliaments must help silence the guns on the Continent Prof Adekeye Adebajo

The keynote address at an Africa Day lecture hosted by Parliament on the theme Silencing the Guns: creating conditions for Africa’s development to achieve the goal of a conflict-free Africa, was given by Prof Adekeye Adebajo, the Director of the Institute of Pan-African Thought and Conversation, based at the University of Johannesburg. He provided a contextual overview of Africa’s quest to bring about peaceful and democratic transitions in its nation states, writes Abel Mputing.

In his opening remarks, Prof undertake its peace-keeping peace-making missions in agenda on the UN Security interventions that brought Adebajo claimed that “African role”. Africa, Prof Adebajo said: Council’s agenda. “The focus stability and that uprooted ancestors are angry because “Nigeria, an economic that South Africa brought on unconstitutional replacements things are not working. According to Prof Adebajo superpower, was not living up the plight of the people of of governments. Under its Institutions are decaying, a South Africa’s importance in to expectations. It was instead Congo has shown its resolve in stewardship there are now situation that is tantamount southern Africa cannot be plagued by its own internal upholding the African agenda more regular democratic to Chinua Achebe’s ‘things discounted and its “energetic conflicts, and this has brought at all cost in this UN organ.” elections, and there is now a fall apart’ metaphor.” Part of role in peace-making cannot about doubts whether Nigeria Nonetheless, he decried rotation of ruling parties, this the responsibility for this lies be overlooked.” After its first could really be a force of the fact that most “African is an indication of political with the devastating effect democratic elections in 1994, stability or instability.” military resolutions in this UN tolerance and democratic of slavery and colonialism, South Africa was no longer a organ are still being drafted maturity in Africa by and which “have ravaged the destabilising force, but rather In addition, the ongoing by Britain and France”. These large.” continent’s future and plunged a country that played a huge instability in the Great Lakes countries, in his view, are no it into an endless quagmire of role in peace-keeping missions region, characterised by the longer superpowers. instability”. in Africa. “It should be noted long-running wars in the that [former President] Thabo Democratic Republic of Congo “Nonetheless, South Africa He continued: “This is a Mbeki played a significant role (DRC), is an indication of has brought the agenda to legacy that goes back to the in this regard in countries such Africa’s failure in its noble silence the guns to the centre Berlin Conference [held from as Burundi, Zimbabwe and quest to “silence the guns” of the implementation of 15 November 1884 to 26 Lesotho.” as a precursor to peace peace-keeping missions in February 1885] that justified and political stability. “The war-torn Africa,” he said. One slavery and colonialism. This Mr Mbeki’s peace-making DRC, with all its riches, has of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s event allowed European missions were historically been infested by genocide, successes as the chair of the powers to impose their own inspired by the ideology of Dr based on Belgium’s social council “was to deal with the governance systems, which Kwame Nkrumah [the late first engineering. The 20 000 marginalisation of the AU politicised the demarcation Prime Minister and President United Nations (UN) Forces in peace-keeping missions of African borders, which in of Ghana], who advocated there has observed the in Africa in the UN Security turn has resulted in the loss of “for the establishment of an slaughter of DRC’s civilians Council”. millions of Africans defending African High Command Force rather than stopped it,” he “WHO WILL KEEP these artificial borders.” that would be charged with commented. He also commended the PEACE IN AFRICA keeping external forces from South African Parliament’s Citing the late Kenyan-born interfering in African military “So bad are conditions in mission to ensure that the NOW THAT THE academic Prof Ali Mazrui’s affairs”. Africa that many Africans, Southern African Development EUROPEANS HAVE haunting question, “who will Although this ideal has not especially the youth, spare Community Parliamentary keep peace in Africa now that come to fruition, regional no effort to traverse the Forum “has a peace and LEFT?” the Europeans have left?”, Prof military entities emerged treacherous seas to reach security mandate to help to Adebajo lamented that the to broker peace in regional Europe in search of a better silence the guns”. The AU’s African Union (AU) “still acts conflicts to foster peace life,” he added. failures to achieve this cause - PROF ADEKEYE ADEBAJO like a military guinea pig… and stability with relative should be recorded, but its without the necessary logistics success. While South Africa He commended South Africa’s progress should also be noted. and financial muscle to was heeding a call for African role in inserting the African “Currently, the AU has had AFRICA DAY 11 ‘Let’s promote and defend a common African position’ - With these words, the NCOP Chairperson marks Africa Day

The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo, responded to the Africa Day keynote address delivered by Prof Adekeye Adebajo and hosted by Parliament. Speaking on the topic “Galvanising Pan-African unity to realise the African agenda”, Mr Masondo stated that the quest for an African identity and emancipation from colonialism, racial exploitation and social ills is at the centre of the African Union’s (AU’s) programme of action. “The AU strives for continental unity to fight against all forms of exploitation, inequality and its related attributes.”Abel Mputing reports.

However, unity among African advance good governance to the AU’s 2063 Agenda, countries to achieve political such as the African Peer which serves as a “strategic Covid-19 emancipation, cooperation and Review Mechanism”, Mr planning instrument for the a better life for all Africans is Masondo explained. This was development of Africa – also one of the AU’s primary a determination on the part of and for repositioning Africa lockdown will objectives, he commented. The Africa to be proactive even in as a significant player in launch of the AU in 2002 was its marginality, and asserts its global affairs,” Mr Masondo “a blueprint for the expression relevance in global affairs. continued. negatively of the African agenda, which later culminated in the The AU also sought to These important interventions impact inception of Agenda 2063”. champion African identity by will galvanise African unity promoting African languages and form part of the AU’s For the first time in history, as economic tools, rather tangible contribution to government African states agreed in than peripheral mediums of what the continent wants to principle on the need socialisation. “At the centre achieve in accelerating Africa’s to “accelerate economic of this quest is the promotion economic growth. Mr Masondo plans and integration, promote and of African historical and concluded by stating that defend African common cultural heritage and to offset the Pan-African Parliament budgets for position, peace and security foreign languages as mediums has been instrumental in and democratic principles and of Africa’s economic and initiating discussions on how institutions”. The formation intellectual activity, the result to conduct oversight over the 2020 of the AU heralded the of which is the establishment AU’s resolutions, and how it continent’s appetite “to play of the African Museum can contribute to resolving the an active role in the global Project,” he said. challenges facing Africa Reduced economic activity due to the national economy, but also to establish today. lockdown, implemented to curb the spread instruments that would All these advances are integral of Covid-19, has resulted in a huge decline in revenue collection. This will inevitably affect budgeting and funding of government programmes, writes Sakhile Mokoena.

The Minister of Finance, Mr our minds in finding solutions , revealed this to lift us from the crisis. The to a joint video conference biggest challenge has been meeting of the Standing the lack of revenue collection, Committee on Finance due to reduced economic and the Select Committee activity, and this will affect on Finance. The National our plans to fund government Treasury and the South programmes,” said the African Revenue Service Finance Minister. appeared before the committees to brief them Responding to a question on on their strategic plans and whether he will push for the budgets. reopening of more industries in order to get the economy “This is a very difficult time back on track, Mr Mboweni and we need to sharpen said, “The quicker we get to Mr Amos Masondo, NCOP Chairperson 12 INSESSION NEWS level two the better, but we encourage them to flourish. enterprises.” must not be reckless. We need Institutions and government to find a balance between the are encouraged to buy from Members of Parliament also economy and the health of small, medium and micro asked about progress on the the people.” enterprises (SMMEs). We establishment of the State understand that the demand Bank and the Sovereign The Chairperson of the Select is very high. For instance, Wealth Fund, plans which Committee on Finance, Mr the Department of Education were announced in the Yunus Carrim, questioned the will order millions of masks. Budget Speech in February. Minister on whether it was Suppliers can register on its Mr Mboweni explained, that reasonable to “restrict the database,” the DG said. although the situation had tender for the procurement changed since February, “we of masks to only small Mr Mboweni also dismissed remain committed to the businesses, given the fact that the claims that the tender establishment of the State the small business sector can for masks was restricted to Bank and the Sovereign only produce 45 000 masks”. small businesses, saying there Wealth Fund. However, our should be no impression financial position is not good Mr Dondo Mogajane, the given that the government and our ability to capitalise Director-General (DG) of the is excluding large companies the State Bank remains National Treasury, played from the procurement of challenged.” down the claims that the health gear. He also added: tender was restricted to “The notion that masks are South Africans will only small businesses only. “We only going to be bought by know which government are very clear in terms of the government is wrong. That programmes will be prioritised instructions that we issued. notion must be discarded. when the National Treasury It is important that small People who can afford must presents the supplementary businesses should play a role buy their own masks, and budget in the next few in our economy and we should I think we must support all months. Mr Tito Mboweni

Working remotely a new normal – Q&A

Working remotely is now the “new normal”. Insessionwriter, Mava Lukani talked to the Secretary to the National Council of Provinces, Adv

Modibedi Phindela about the challenges and opportunities it presents. Adv Eric Phindela - Secretary to the NCOP

What are the technical virtual committee meetings translation and sign Public participation issues such as legislation challenges that come with or sittings, in the event that language services to electronically and via and the budget? working remotely? Parliament was faced with members and citizens. Parliament TV Channel a national disaster. As such, What are the multilingual 408 is limited under these Other than that Parliament is Working remotely was operating virtually is a new sign language tools conditions, as Channel 408 operating virtually, nothing always going to present experience to both Members that Parliament is using broadcasts one meeting at has really changed in its some problems taking into and employees. for interpretation and a time and the majority of programmes. Sittings and consideration that Parliament assistance to deaf people? citizens don’t have access to committee meetings continue has never attempted it before. What about legal and DStv. What is your comment as programmed by the We have always depended procedural issues in working Since the current situation is on that? programming committees. To on the physical presence of remotely? unprecedented, we are still date, committees of the two the Members and employees in the process of exploring Facilitation of public Houses have had more than in the precincts to transact We designed Rules of Virtual several possibilities in relation involvement is a constitutional 100 meetings combined. The the business of Parliament. Meetings and Sittings, to the interpretation of injunction. Parliament has National Council of Provinces It appears that, although it which are intended to deal proceedings of committees different platforms through will have a sitting to finalise entered our minds, working with both the legal and and Houses. The current which the public can follow its both the Division of Revenue virtually had been a far- procedural aspects of virtual platforms do not seem to be proceeding and participate in Bill and the Appropriation Bill. fetched possibility until the meetings and sittings, and fully equipped to cater for the its processes and those of its The National Assembly will world was hit by the current to complement the existing diverse languages of South committees. Channel 408 is also continue with questions pandemic. Rules. The Chairperson of the Africa. One must also bear but one of them. session and a sitting to finalise National Council of Provinces in mind that these platforms the Appropriation Bill. We have never taken time is authorised to fashion have not been designed for Have programme to orientate Members and rules for an eventuality not parliamentary proceedings committees taken a position How will the Mace and Black employees on the possible foreseen by the Rules. and processes. However, I am on House sittings, especially Rod be managed under virtual platforms that can be sure we will reach the desired for questions to the these circumstances? used to conduct for instance, Parliament provides destination as we proceed. executive and other priority WORKING REMOTELY 13

Considering that we are for certain categories of Parliament must invest in Parliament with technology as operating virtually, technology When one spoke of virtual employees. The circumstances technology and modernisation an enabler. should be able to deal with sittings and virtual committee under which we are currently to meet the needs of virtual those issues. It should be meeting in not so a distant operating proves this point. operations. I hope that possible to display the Mace past, that sounded like this situation expedites or the Rod to symbolise a dream that could not What it means is that the migration to a modern the Sitting of the House be realised. It seemed irrespective of where a impossible. I am in fact Presiding Officer is located. In happy that the sittings and terms of the Rules of Virtual committee meetings are Meetings and Sittings, the materialising under these venue of a sitting is deemed different circumstances. This Parliament repositions to be in the chamber in Cape is the reality today and in the Town. immediate future. We have itself to carry on with slowly but surely adapted to Rules on virtual meetings doing business differently are clear about voting in without departing from the its mandate under meetings. Are there any constitutional obligations of challenges with this? Parliament. lockdown conditions

Members will cast their votes The thought that we could like they normally do in the have just sat back and said we Undoubtedly, Parliament’s capacity to continue functioning during ordinary course of events. will wait for the virus to run its Where the platform allows for course is frightening. Instead, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic tested its tenacity to uphold electronic voting, they will both Members of Parliament its constitutional mandate of holding the executive accountable, and cast their votes electronically. and employees have adapted continue unshaken in upholding its principle of being a people’s Where the platform doesn’t and forged ahead with the Parliament, writes Abel Mputing. allow for that, Members will business of Parliament. I hope cast voice votes. that we do not revert to the old way of doing things once The Inter-Parliamentary the situation stabilises and Union (IPU) is assisting we return to office. We must parliaments throughout the accept that this is going to world. Have you received be, as they put it, “a new any assistance or guidance normal”. from the IPU? It gives us an opportunity to All parliaments around the revisit our systems, process, world are faced with a similar facilities and where money situation of either operating is allocated. For instance, fully virtually, partially more money may have virtually or not operating at to be allocated to mobile all. Since the lockdown, our electronic equipment, data The declaration of the executive. responsibility of the executive Parliament has been operating and connectivity instead of National State of Disaster by Many decried that to implement measures for fully virtually. to travelling, accommodation President Cyril Ramaphosa Parliament’s inactivity at the which the National State of and paper. A new policy caught everyone off guard, time had unduly surrendered Disaster has been declared. It There are of course other framework may be required to including Parliament. It had the checks and balances remains the responsibility of permutations that are in regulate working from home. to figure out, at a lightning that govern the prescripts of the executive to deliver much- the offing and we can learn speed, how to balance the the separation of powers as needed services to save the from other parliaments. We While Members may continue dictates of the National mandated by our Constitution. lives of individuals.” continue to consult with the to conduct physical site visits, Disaster Act while exercising This perceived legislative provincial legislatures, other Parliament may continue to its legislative and oversight and oversight void created However, it had to find a parliaments as well as other have virtual sittings without mandate over the executive. a swelling discontent and balancing act between that parliamentary institutions like Members returning to Cape It soon became obvious that murmurs of the rise of an and the declaration that the IPU and Commonwealth Town every week. Parliament was thrown head autocratic state were also “Parliament is an essential Parliamentary Association first into the eye of a storm. gaining ground. service, in terms of the from which we can learn. It may be that not everybody lockdown regulations, and has Considering that this situation need work from the office, A situation that called for But that was not the case, the authority to execute its is not going to end tomorrow, even if this situation changes. innovative thinking that as Presiding Officers (POs) oversight functions during a I am sure there will be a lot of It may well be that there is no involved the harnessing of explained in their media lockdown or social distancing developments in this area. need for the number of offices technology to restore its statement during their period”. that are currently in existence. constitutional mandate under first media briefing during What do these Even if there may be a need very trying and abnormal level five of the lockdown. At first it was thought that developments tell us about for office space, it may not conditions. This was done to They offered a plausible this could be done through, the future of parliamentary necessarily be in the current quell the growing perception explanation: “During the for example, individual MPs business in this era of the configuration. It may be that it at the time that Parliament outbreak of this pandemic, (Members of Parliament) Fourth Industrial Revolution is only a working space rather has summarily delegated its Parliament did not want to be carrying out constituency (4IR)? than an office that is required legislative mandate to the seen as interfering with the work in various communities 14 INSESSION NEWS and holding the executive Command Council on Covid-19, Furthermore, Mr Nyambi said: and the public, and are accountable for implementing According to the POs, a on the latest developments “This frees time for Ministers broadcast on a wide range measures designed to number of virtual meetings relating to Covid-19, marked to get along with the business of platforms which include overcome the state of disaster. took place where innovative the beginning and a of leading the charge in the the Parliament TV Channel, The view at the time was that discussions took place on how forerunner of virtual meetings. fight against Covid-19 and regional TV stations, streaming the responsibility to conduct Parliament should carry on Parliament has had well more any other business as per on YouTube channels, social oversight was not limited to with its business remotely. than 200 virtual meetings of their mandate. Members of media and community radio committee meetings. Those meetings included its oversight committees, a Parliament in general also stations. In March, Parliament took meetings of the POs, forums significant milestone which benefit from the aforesaid a decision to suspend the of party chief whips of the demonstrates the resilience, arrangement as time becomes The NA also held a successful programme of its two Houses. NA (National Assembly), the tenacity and agility of the available for them also to hybrid sitting where The decision was taken a few NCOP’s (National Council of national legislature’s systems concentrate on such other governance and social services days before the start of the Provinces’) chief whip and to fulfil its constitutional matters as may be required of clusters appeared before constituency programme of provincial whips, and the obligations even under them. This includes Members’ the members of the NA for Parliament. The POs added: Speakers’ Forum. difficult conditions. training, law-making and questions and answers. The “It was as a precautionary constituency work.” departments making up the measure relating to Covid-19, Those meetings considered In those virtual meetings, clusters are Basic Education; to drastically limit the an amended framework for committees have conducted He said the story of the NA Health; Higher Education; numbers of people at the administering the business effective oversight over the and NCOP with their distinct Science and Technology; parliamentary precinct in of oversight committees and departments of government and yet complementary Human Settlements; Water Cape Town and at the off-site plenary sittings, as well as an and their entities, particularly mandates needs to be and Sanitation; Social parliamentary activities.” adjusted programme for the on their response to the repackaged for clarity: Development; Sport, Arts lockdown period ahead. Covid-19 pandemic. “Members of society do not, and Culture; Cooperative But it soon turned out that honestly, care about these Governance and Traditional committee meetings and The POs assessed how Asked about whether joint distinctions. All they see Affairs; the Ministry in the plenaries are the most Parliament could best resume virtual meetings allow both are Members of Parliament Presidency; Public Service and effective ways of holding its business, and benchmark members of the NA and NCOP who should be responsive Administration; and Women, the executive accountable, best practices by other to exercise oversight properly and amenable to the needs Youth and Persons with especially when one considers legislatures around the world as they don’t have the of communities,” said Mr Disabilities. the far-reaching decisions that in the fight against Covid-19. same mandates, the House Nyambi. the executive had to take on Chairperson of the NCOP The hybrid sitting consisted of an almost daily basis to arrest They said: “For Parliament, responsible for committees, In its first virtual plenary, members of the NA physically the spread of the pandemic. there has never been a more Mr Jomo Nyambi, said: “The the NCOP was briefed by present in the Chamber and Constituency oversight important time to work in an mandates of both the NA and the Minister of Cooperative others who participated via a mechanisms appeared extraordinary manner and NCOP are indeed distinct, Governance and Traditional video platform. The sitting was insufficient for the task at intensify our technological but the story does not end Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini- attended by 297 MPs – 250 hand. capabilities for our transition there. The analysis becomes Zuma and the Minister of of them participated through to an e-Parliament and to complete and instructive Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize on the virtual platform, and 47 New innovative ways had to ensure that the execution when we add that these Covid-19’s impact and how were in the NA Chamber in be found that would enable of our constitutional mandates are interdependent. government measures to Cape Town. The questions to Parliament to undertake its responsibilities continues What happens in the joint curb its spread are being the Ministers related to the constitutional responsibility uninterrupted.” virtual meetings is that each implemented across the three government’s response to the within the prescripts of committee is able to take spheres of government. Covid-19 pandemic. the lockdown rules and Necessary information and from the Minister what is regulations. This led to the communication technologies relevant to it, and no single In its second virtual sitting, Reflecting on the first inception of virtual Parliament. were put in place, enabling committee gets prejudiced by the NCOP approved the 2020 hybrid sitting of the NA in The media statement of parliamentarians to connect that arrangement.” Division of Revenue Bill which a Programme Committee the POs expatiated on that. to the virtual meetings of was tabled by the Minister of meeting of the NA, the NA’s “Parliament is exploring oversight committees and Finance in February when he House Chairperson responsible effective means of conducting other parliamentary structures delivered the 2020 Budget for committees, Mr Cedric virtual Parliament work, from their homes, spread Speech. Frolick, said members’ in case the need for social across the country. attendance in the sitting’s distancing in the country According to the POs, question and answer session takes longer. Currently, virtual After Parliament had because of its technological was high, when compared to parliamentary committee set up the technological infrastructure, Parliament pre-Covid-19 sittings. meetings are possible.” infrastructure for virtual is at a much better position meetings, virtual sittings of to ensure that even under The transition to virtual The aim was to ensure that committees ensued. After virtual conditions, Parliament’s Parliament has not been “committee observations, the POs announced the constitutional obligations without its own challenges. including their interventions, resumption of the business towards the public, of This was always expected will be kept on record of Parliament under virtual openness, transparency and because Parliament was and followed up where conditions in April, the public involvement – though delving into an unchartered appropriate. And Parliament teleconference of the Portfolio changed drastically – remained terrain. But the shortcomings will still, after this period, be Committee on Health where uncompromised during this that have been experienced able to hold the executive the committee was briefed period of a national lockdown. thus far have not by no means accountable, in the usual by the Minister of Health, Dr outweighed the good that has ways, over how it executed Zweli Mkhize and Prof Salim All virtual meetings continue been achieved through virtual the State of National Disaster.” Abdool-Karim of the National to be open to the media platforms. COMMITTEES IN BRIEF 15

Most importantly, according in order to create a seamless to the POs, the glitches are operation that would be viable not unique to the South for the foreseeable future. African Parliament. They said the challenges of poor connectivity and unsuitable use of online video platforms are not dissimilar to those experienced by other parliaments throughout the world.

In its second hybrid session recently, the NA passed the Appropriation Bill as required by section 213 of the Constitution and section 26 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The plenary also considered the Bill’s accompanying Votes and Schedules. Committees in brief

When passing the Bill, the Parliamentary committees held more than 190 virtual meetings in two Houses of Parliament May. More than half of those meetings were joint meetings of portfolio authorise the allocation of and select committees. The month of May is traditionally budget money from the National voting month in the parliamentary calendar. Government departments Revenue Fund to fund the state requirements for the and their entities presented their readjusted annual performance and 2020/21 financial year, strategic plans and budgets to meet the new Covid-19 realities before while also prescribing the parliamentary committees. conditions for spending the funds to be withdrawn for Committees also heard made available to employers, be guided by this principle. At the financial year (before of various government through the UIF, in order to the same time, we recognise the commencement of the departments’, government keep companies afloat while the difficulty in the balancing Appropriation Act) and to entities’, municipalities’ Covid-19-related lockdown act of keeping our people safe provide for matters incidental and non-governmental regulations are in place. and reopening the economy, thereto. WE KNOW THAT organisations’ plans to as these are interlinked.” THE LIVES OF mitigate the spread of The Portfolio Committee To date, the rules of both Covid-19. Among the on Trade, Industry and A joint meeting of the OUR PEOPLE Houses of Parliament have municipalities that presented Competition; together with Portfolio Committee on Public been amended to cater for COME FIRST AND plans to curb the spread of the Select Committee on Works and Infrastructure; the new virtual regime. the coronavirus were the Trade and Industry, Economic and of the Select Committee WE WILL BE “There are now amended Covid-19 hotspot Metros: Development, Small Business, on Transport, Public Service GUIDED BY THIS rules to cater for virtual The Cities of Cape Town, Tourism, Employment and and Administration, Public meetings, and procedures PRINCIPLE Johannesburg and eThekwini. Labour were assured by Works and Infrastructure for the management the Minister of Economic noted the responses of the of virtual meetings and The Portfolio Committee on Development that each and Department of Public Works guidelines for use of video Employment and Labour; every step the government and Infrastructure (DPWI) in conferencing platforms were and the Select Committee takes to open the economy is relation to Extended Public created in preparation for on Trade and Industry, carefully considered. Works Programme (EPWP) the phasing in of the new Economic Development, beneficiaries, quarantine sites communications technology Small Business, Tourism, The committees heard that the and the Beitbridge Border that will be utilised to conduct all EPWP beneficiaries under Employment and Labour held R500 billion Covid-19 stimulus Fence Erection Project. parliamentary affairs in the contract should remain as a joint virtual meeting to package that was announced foreseeable future. beneficiaries, and that the receive an update from the by the President is not elitist, The committees are, however, beneficiaries would be able to Unemployment Insurance as it includes the UIF, which of the view that the safety In addition to that, a draw from the UIF once their Fund (UIF). is an “absolute lifesaver” for of EPWP beneficiaries may technological business contracts expire. low-income workers. require attention with case is being developed The UIF informed the regards to personal protective by parliamentary officials The Minister informed the committees on its The Chairpersons of equipment, as vulnerable to garner cutting-edge committees that she has performance during the committees commended people cannot be allowed technological wherewithal requested the Auditor-General lockdown period. The the responsible and decisive to fall ill while working. The and know-how that would (AG) to assess whether committees followed up on manner in which the committees are also pleased assist them in monitoring and the department complied its commitment to monitor government is dealing with with the instruction from the evaluating the efficiencies with the Public Finance the UIF’s implementation of the Covid-19 pandemic. “We Minister of DPWI, Ms Patricia and deficiencies of various Management Act and the the government’s benefit know that the lives of our de Lille, that during the virtual systems at its disposal, National Treasury emergency scheme. This scheme is people come first and we will Covid-19 lockdown period, procurement regulations with 16 INSESSION NEWS regards to the Beitbridge involved in food distribution Border Fence Erection Project. during the Covid-19 pandemic. The committees have been The organisations included informed that the AG has the Gift of the Givers, the requested more time to Solidarity Fund, Food Forward investigate the matter. South Africa and the South African Red Cross Society. The Chairperson of the The committees commended Portfolio Committee on these organisations on their Cooperative Governance good work in distributing food and Traditional Affairs, Ms to the needy. Faith Muthambi, conveyed a message of appreciation The organisations all voiced a to the Minister of the desire for better co-ordination Department of Cooperative between themselves and Governance (Cogta), Ms the department in relation to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, for food distribution. The non- that department’s “sterling” governmental organisations work on the drafting of have called for the regulations for the national development of a multisector lockdown and guiding the plan that will outline the country on those regulations. roles of government and civil society as well as regulate Ms Muthambi said: their coordination. “Regrettably Minister, there was no opportunity for us The Portfolio Committee as the committee to be on Tourism; and the Select consulted when the country Committee on Trade moves to level three and that and Industry, Economic is a matter that concerns the Development, Small Business whole committee. It doesn’t Development, Tourism, put the committee in a Employment and Labour were better position to exercise its briefed by the Department mandate.” of Tourism on its strategic and annual performance Furthermore, Ms Muthambi plans. The committees heard told Minister Dlamini- that tourism is the most Zuma that the committee affected sector due to the is expected by Parliament lockdown. Because of this, the and the people to have a committees appealed to the meaningful and insightful department that whilst the contribution to the national revised strategic and annual lockdown regulations. “That performance plans indicate is a justifiable expectation, that the target of 21 million because we are the custodians tourist arrivals will still be of the Disaster Management reached by 2030, it needs to Act. Based on that, Parliament focus on the factors affecting should be at the forefront job losses due to businesses during consultations for in the tourism sector that are regulations,” added Ms closed. Muthambi. The committees told the A joint meeting of the department that in the Portfolio Committee on Social meantime it must continue Development and the Select to work closely with the Committee on Health and Department of Home Affairs Social Services has called to ensure that the world-class for the Department of Social e-visa regimes continue to be Development to partner developed in more countries with local community-based and implemented. organisations, including faith- based organisations, in the coordination and distribution of food security programmes.

The committees recently met with various non- governmental organisations