That week in Parliament

The endgame of the parliamentary year is fast approaching. There are only five weeks left before the legislature rises and loose ends are gradually being knitted together. Following last week’s presentation of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement...

With the much-awaited presentation of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) having come and gone, our weekly blog gleans into the role of Parliament in the processing and approval of the mini-budget.  A budget is the most important economic...

There were 39 unfinished Bills when the Fifth Parliament ended. According to National Assembly rule 333 (2), these Bills lapsed automatically when Parliament was dissolved on 7 May 2019. To date, 30 of these have been revived by the Sixth Parliament....

In August 2019, the NHI Bill was introduced to Parliament and is currently under consideration by the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Health. The Bill is currently going through the stipulated parliamentary processes, including a public...

There's a full and mixed flavour to the coming week's parliamentary business. The highlights include the mini-Budget, Question Time Sessions, legislative business and high-profile Committee hearings. All eyes will be on the Minister of Finance when he...

The 2019 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) is set to be delivered by the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, on Wednesday (30 October 2019). Expectations are high and there’s a motley of issues to look out for. This week’s blog provides an...

The major point of interest will come from Tuesday’s debate on the Special Appropriation Bill in the National Assembly Chamber. The Bill allocates an additional R59bn to Eskom over the next two years. In recommending the Bill, the Standing Committee...

National departments, provincial departments and public entities are subject to annual auditing by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA). AGSA’s annual audits examine three areas: fair presentation and absence of significant misstatements in...

Question time is the main business in both chambers this week. The practice of oral questions is an established part of the parliamentary day and gives MPs an opportunity to question the Executive about matters for which they are responsible....

Parliament resumes this week after a two-week constituency period. The final term will run for nine weeks and the programme is packed with activities. Some of the highlights include committee, oversight and legislative work; oral questions to the...