Defence and Military Veterans
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
Oversight responsibility of Defence and Military Veterans Portfolio Committee
The Defence and Military Veterans Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans as well as the following statutory entities:
Castle Control Board
Defence Force Service Commission
Committees conduct their business on behalf of the House and report back on matters referred to them.
Learn more about the work of this Committee: Legacy Reports
The role and functions of Committees in Parliament (provided by Parliament)
In accordance with the powers given to it by the Constitution, the National Assembly establishes a range of committees with assigned powers and functions. The committees are required to report regularly on their activities and to make recommendations to the House for debate and decision. A large part of the Assembly’s role in the law‑making process happens in committees and much of its oversight over the executive is also done through committees, particularly the portfolio committees.
There is a portfolio committee for each corresponding government department. The composition of the committees reflects, as far as is practicable, the numerical strengths of the parties represented in the Assembly. That committee will deliberate on bills covering that department’s area of jurisdiction and scrutinise and report on its annual budget and strategic plan. As the people’s representatives, members of the committees determine whether government departments are delivering on what they promised and whether they are spending the public money they receive in a responsible manner. As part of their oversight work, committees may also do site visits where they find out directly from the people at ground level whether the government is delivering on its promises.
If a committee reports on a matter and makes certain recommendations, that report will be debated in a full sitting or plenary to give other members of the House an opportunity to engage with the content of the report. Once the report has been debated, the House decides whether to adopt the committee’s recommendations. The House may also decide only to note the report or it may refer the report back to the committee with an instruction to do further work
Broadly speaking, the mandates of Committees are to consider and process legislation referred to it; exercise oversight over the Department and entities reporting to it; consider international agreements referred to it; consider the budget vote of the Department and its entities; facilitate public participation in its processes; and to consider all other matters referred to it in terms of legislation and the Rules of Parliament
Working in Committees allows Parliament to:
-Increase the amount of work that can be done
-Ensure that issues can be debated in more detail than in plenary sessions
-Increase the level of participation of Members of Parliament (MPs) in discussions
-Enable MPs to develop expertise and in-depth knowledge of the specific Committee's area of work
-Provide a platform for the public to present views directly to MPs, something which is not possible in a plenary sitting of Parliament
-Provide an environment for Parliament to hear evidence and collect information related to the work of a specific Committee
Powers
Rule 167 of the National Assembly Rules (9th Edition) say that for the purposes of performing its functions committee may, subject to the Constitution, legislation, the other provisions of these rules and resolutions of the Assembly –
-Summon any person to appear before it to give evidence on oath or affirmation, or to produce documents
-Receive petitions, representations or submissions from interested persons or institutions
-Permit oral evidence on petitions, representations, submissions and any other matter before the committee
-Conduct public hearings
-Consult any Assembly or Council committee or subcommittee, or any joint committee or subcommittee
-Determine its own working arrangements
-Meet at a venue determined by it, which may be a venue beyond the seat of Parliament
-Meet on any and at any time, including –
- On a day which is not a working day
- On a day on which the Assembly is not sitting
- At a time when the Assembly is not sitting, or
- During a recess
-Exercise any other powers assigned to it by the Constitution, legislation, the other provisions of these rules or resolutions of the Assembly
Committee Membership
Committee membership is distributed among the parties roughly in proportion to the seats they get in Parliament, so if a party wins 20% of the seats, its MPs will occupy about 20% of committee positions.
The NA Rules Committee agreed that all Committees will be comprised of 11 Members: ANC – 6; DA – 2; EFF – 1; other parties – 2.
Where it is practicably possible, each party is entitled to at least one representative in a Committee.
Read More: A note to the Sixth Parliament: Committee Membership
Read More: A Note to the Sixth Parliament: The critical role of Committee Chairperson
Committees in Practice
With the agreement of members, the Committee staff sets the dates and times of committee meetings. The frequency of committee meetings is determined by a committee’s work programme but it is normal for a committee to meet weekly. From time to time, committees can meet more than once a week if they work programme so demands.
Section 59(1)(b) of the Constitution requires that the National Assembly and it’s committees conduct their business in an open manner and hold their sittings in public. Section 59(2) states that the National Assembly may not exclude the public or the media unless it is ‘reasonable and justifiable to do so in an open and democratic society’. Rule 184(2) of the Rules of the National Assembly further require that any decision to exclude the public from a committee meeting or part thereof must be taken ‘after due consideration’ by that committee
Who attends Committee Meetings?:
MPs (those assigned to the committee and if they so wish, any other MP)
Committee Staff: Committee Secretary, Committee Assistant, Researcher, Content Advisor
Departments, entities, organizations, individuals and experts who are invited by the Committee to speak and be questioned
Parliamentary Legal Advisor (from time to time)
Media
General Public
THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT
Portfolio Committees
The National Assembly (NA) appoints from among its members a number of Portfolio Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments.
Select Committees
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) appoints from its permanent members a number of Select Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments and to deal with Bills.
Because only 54 of the 90 NCOP Members are permanent delegates compared to the 400 of the NA, the Select Committees oversee the work of more than one national government department.
Public Accounts Committees
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Public Accounts acts as Parliament's watchdog over the way taxpayers' money is spent by the Executive. Every year the Auditor-General tables reports on the accounts and financial management of the various government departments and State institutions.
Heads of government departments and institutions are regularly called by this committee to report and account for expenditure. The Committee can recommend that the National Assembly takes corrective actions if necessary.
Internal Committees
The National Assembly has a number of internal committees that deal with matters affecting the running of Parliament. The Committees normally consist of senior Members of Parliament. The Rules Committee and its sub-committees deal with House rules. There are structures to deal with support for Members, internal arrangements, disciplinary matters and powers and privileges of members. Other internal Committees are the Programme Committee that plans the work of the Assembly, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Committee of Chairpersons.
The National Council of Provinces also has its own domestic Committees. The Rules Committee and its subcommittees deal with the NCOP rules. There are structures to deal with support for Members, internal arrangements, disciplinary matters and powers and privileges of members. The Programme Committee plans the work of the NCOP and the Committee of Chairpersons make recommendations about the functioning of Committees and other NCOP forums.
Ad hoc Committees
Parliament or one of its Houses may appoint an ad hoc (temporary) Committee when a special task must be done. When the task is complete, the Committee is dissolved.
Joint Committees
The National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces together appoint a number of joint committees.
There are six Joint Committees:
- Constitutional Review Committee
- Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence
- Joint Standing Committee on Defence
- Committee on Multi-Party Women’s Caucus
- Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament
- Joint Standing Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests
The committees play a very important role in the process of building democracy and involving the public in the processes and activities of Parliament.
No results.
Military Discipline Bill [B21 – 2019] | |
Defence Amendment Bill [B18 - 2017]. | |
Hydrographic Bill [B17-2018] | |
Defence Amendment Bill [B18-2017] | |
Defence Laws Repeal and Amendment Bill [B7-2015] | |
Defence Laws Repeal and Amendment Draft Bill 2014 | |
Defence Amendment Bill [PMB8 - 2013] |
NW762 by Mr W T I Mafanya - What (a) is the average age of soldier who are... | |
NW703 by Mr M S Bond - Whether she will furnish Mr M S Bond with a... | |
NW625 by Dr P J Groenewald - (1)Whether the official residence of the Chief... | |
NW378 by T Mafanya - What is the breakdown of the budgeted... | |
NW171 by Mr W F Faber - Whether she has ever met with Mohamed Hamdan... | |
NW332 by Mr M S Bond - (1) What are the full details of all (a)... | |
NW480 by Ms N Mhlongo - (1) Whether she has been informed of a... | |
NW460 by Ms H S Winkler - Whether, with reference to the underwater... | |
NW3930 by The Leader of the Opposition - (1) With reference to recent allegations that... | |
NW2091 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - What new ideas and solutions has the Republic... | |
NW3200 by Marais - (1 )Whether, with reference to the incidents... | |
NW4007 by Dr P J Groenewald - (1 ) What total number of (a) firearms and (b)... | |
NW2298 by Mr T N Mmutle - In view of the position of the Civilian... | |
NW4099 by Ceza - Whether she has found that the deployment of... | |
NW3835 by Mr M G P Lekota - What progress has been made regarding the... | |
NW3909 by S J F Marais - Considering that the Chief of the SA Reserve... | |
NW2702 by Mr S J F Marais - Whether with reference to the 2018 Court Order... | |
NW3069 by Mr S J F Marais - (1) What is the comprehensive information... | |
NW3151 by Shaik Emam - What measures has her department put in place... | |
NW3416 by Mr W T I Mafanya - Whether, with reference to the numerous SA... | |
NW3973 by M G P Lekota - Whether she had succeeded in ensuring that the... | |
NO644 by Mr S J F Marais - With reference to her reply to question 2826... | |
NO613 by Mr T N Mmutle - (1) In light of the continued involvement of... | |
NW2736 by Mr J H Steenhuisen - With reference to the recent African Peace... | |
NW2701 by Mr S J F Marais - (1) Given the reported allocation of a... | |
NW2740 by Mr T R Majola - (a) What total amount did (i) her department... | |
NW1892 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - (1) Whether the Republic supplied arms to... | |
NW1891 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - Whether it is a usual and/or an acceptable... | |
NW2277 by Ms D Kohler - (1) Whether she has been invited to make a... | |
NW2286 by Mr M L Shelembe - (1) What are the reasons for the failure of... | |
NW1811 by Mr S J F Marais - (1) With reference to the controversial visit... | |
NW1681 by Mr S J F Marais - 1. With reference to the controversial visit... | |
NW2382 by Ms D Kohler - (1) Whether she will make a submission to the... | |
NW2160 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - Whether, the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa’s... | |
NW1890 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - (1) Whether, with reference to the SA Defence... | |
NW1627 by Dr P.J. Groenewald - (1) Whether any airplanes landed at the Air... | |
NW2336 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - Whether the SA National Defence Force is ready... | |
NW1993 by Mr W T I Mafanya - Whether she intends to resign in light of the... | |
NW2509 by Mr WTI Mafanya - What are the reasons that the new uniform of... | |
NW2271 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - (1) What happens to the surviving dependents... | |
NW2284 by Mr S J F Marais - (1) What are the details of the outcomes of... | |
NW2299 by Ms P.A. Phethle - In view of the 2023 Budget Vote wherein it was... | |
NW1816 by Dr P J Groenewald - With reference to the website of the... | |
NW1774 by Mr A V Khoza - (a) In which region and/or country, other than... | |
NW1773 by Mr A V Khoza - (1) What total amount has the deployments of... | |
NW1647 by Mr M LShelembe - (1) Whether, with reference to the Chetty 491... | |
NW1165 by Mr W T I Mafanya - Whether she will receive military assistance... | |
NW2302 by Ms A H Mthembu - Given that the latest SA National Defence... | |
NW2314 by Mr. WTI Mafanya - Whether her department is leasing any land... | |
NW2315 by Mr WTI Mafanya - What progress has she made to resolve the... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Military Discipline Bill | 13 Nov 2019 | B21-2019 | Withdrawn |
Hydrographic Bill | 30 May 2018 | B17-2018 | Act commenced |
Defence Amendment Bill | 30 Jun 2017 | B18-2017 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Defence Laws Repeal and Amendment Bill | 25 Feb 2015 | B7-2015 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Defence Amendment Bill - Mr D Maynier (DA) | 02 Oct 2013 | PMB8-2013 | Withdrawn |
Implementation of the Geneva Conventions Bill | 15 Jun 2011 | B10-2011 | Act commenced |
Military Ombudsman Bill | 10 Jun 2011 | B9-2011 | Act commenced |
Military Veterans Bill | 21 Jan 2011 | B1-2011 | Act commenced |
Defence Amendment Bill | 01 Jun 2010 | B11-2010 | Act commenced |
National Conventional Arms Control Amendment Bill | 13 Jun 2008 | B45-2008 | Act commenced |
Castle Management Act Repeal Bill | 07 Mar 2008 | B9-2008 | Withdrawn |
Defence Amendment Bill | 05 Mar 2008 | B6-2008 | Withdrawn |
Prohibition or Restriction of Certain Conventional Weapons Bill | 12 Apr 2007 | B7-2007 | Act commenced |
Attendance
Ranked 103 out of 195 for NAMembership
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Beukes, Ms AJANC
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Bond, Mr MDA
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Holomisa, Dr BHUDM
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Legwase, Ms TIANC
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Mafanya, Mr WTIEFF
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Marais, Mr SDA
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Mmutle, Mr TNANC
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Mothapo, Adv MRANC
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Phetlhe, Ms P AANC
Contact
Secretary of Committee:
Bryan Mantyi
Tel: 021 403 3796
Cell: 083 709 8428
Email: [email protected]
Secretary To Chairperson:
Rethoma Michaels
Tel: 021 403 3050
Cell: 083 709 8429
Email: [email protected]