That week in Parliament

All eyes will be on the Minister of Finance when he delivers the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on Wednesday. The MTBPS outlines the economic context against which the 2021 budget is being formulated and sets out the spending framework...

The 2020 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) is set to be delivered by the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, on Wednesday, 28 October against a tumultuous economic backdrop exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is facing a...

There having been no new Covid-19 ministerial directives or disaster management regulations issued last week, this update focuses on other key developments. It does not feature Bills, draft Bills or parliamentary committee media statements. Economic...

There's a full and mixed flavour to the coming week's parliamentary business. The highlights include a joint debate, Question Time Session with the Deputy President, a Ministerial briefing, legislative business and high-profile Committee hearings....

LOCKDOWN LEVEL 1 Social grants and services A ministerial directive gazetted on 7 October amended directions in place since 6 August by: extending to 31 December the validity of temporary disability grants and care dependency grants that have already...

On Thursday, President Ramaphosa will use a rare address in Parliament to brief the country on the government’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. Convening an address to both Houses is generally reserved for the State of the Nation Address...

LOCKDOWN LEVEL 1 Reopening borders and international travel A ministerial directive was gazetted on 30 September: listing the requirements to be met by the residents of other countries wishing to enter South Africa listing the land ports-of-entry at...

Parliament resumes this week after a constituency period. The hybrid Parliament will continue for another term, with some MPs working from the precinct and others remotely. This system is limiting and imperfect but Parliament has been able to perform...

COVID-19 STATE OF DISASTER AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: Update (28 September 2020) LOCKDOWN LEVEL 1 Gatherings A ministerial directive gazetted on 23 September: restricts to 250 and 500 respectively the number of attendees at any indoor or outdoor function...

It was a short and disjointed third term with both Houses starting and ending at different times. Notwithstanding this, there were plenty of highlights during this period: Plenary sessions and Executive oversight The role of Parliament remains...