An eclectic week of parliamentary action beckons in the main chambers and Committee Corridor.

A combination of a Presidential Address, Question Time, Executive Statements, debates, mini-plenaries, budget-related work, legislative business, and a few high-profile Committee meetings should mean plenty of fizz.

In the National Assembly, MPs will hold a debate on Tuesday to mark World Aids Day under the theme: Equal rights, equal access to quality care for all. Lawmakers have a role to play in educating, mobilising, ending the stigma and allocating resources to combat HIV/AIDS. At the same sitting, they will consider the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill. The division of revenue lays down how total government revenue should be divided and allocated between the spheres of government. In addition, they will consider assorted Budgetary Review and Recommendation Reports (BRRRs) and a draft resolution to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate some local government municipalities and private security companies that violate Section 13A of the Pensions Fund Act.

On Wednesday, the main chamber business is the oral question-and-answer session with ministers in the Economic Cluster. View the questions here. The agenda also includes the consideration of several BRRRs.

Legislating is the main activity on Thursday as legislators consider the Rates and Monetary Amounts Amendment Bill, Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill, Revenue Laws Amendment Bill, Global Minimum Tax Bill and the Global Minimum Tax Administration Bill. For the third consecutive day, the plenary session will include BRRRs.

Two mini-plenaries are scheduled on Friday. They serve as breakaway sessions of the NA. According to the rules, any matter may be discussed or debated in a mini-plenary session. This mechanism allows the House to debate a particular topic without having to decide at the end of the debate. 

Mini-plenary 1:

1. Consideration of Report of Standing Committee on Finance on Oversight visit to Ithala SOC Limited
2. Consideration of Report of PC on Electricity and Energy on Oversight visit to Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant
3. Consideration of Report of PC on Electricity and Energy on Nuclear Energy Summit

 Mini-plenary 2:

4. Consideration of Report of PC on Mineral and Petroleum Resources on Stakeholders’ engagement workshop
5. Consideration of Report of PC on Police on Oversight visit to Philippi Training Academy in Western Cape Province on 20 September 2024
6. Consideration of Report of PC on Higher Education and Training on 2023/24 Fourth quarter and 2024/25 first quarter financial and non-financial performance of Department of Higher Education and Training

Elsewhere, the NCOP has arranged three sitting days.

Every year, from 25 November to 10 December, South Africans observe 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children. In line with this, the NCOP will hold a debate on Tuesday to mark the occasion. Beyond this, there will be a debate on waging a concerted battle against crime to build safer living and business spaces.

Government Ministers may make oral statements to Parliament, which usually address major incidents, government policies, or actions. Each political party is allowed an opportunity to respond to such a statement. On Wednesday, five cabinet ministers have requested this opportunity:

1. Executive Statement by the Minister of Transport on the Roadmap to Stabilize the Performance of Transnet and Reform the country’s logistics system to address Inefficiencies and Improve the Ports and Rail Transportation Systems
2. Executive Statement by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture on Executive Action and Measures to Revitalise the Cultural and Creative Industries Economy in South Africa
3. Executive Statement by the Minister of Home Affairs on Digital Transformation of Home Affairs for Efficient and effective Delivery of Services to the Public
4. Executive Statement by the Minister of Police on the Crime Prevention Policy and the Implementation of the National Crime Prevention Strategy to fight Crime and Strengthen the South African Police Service to build safer communities 
5. Executive Statement by the Minister of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation on the Draft Medium Term Development Plan 2024 – 2029 – Progress Update and Modeling of Growth Scenarios in South Africa

The main highlight is the President’s Annual Address to the NCOP on Thursday and the ensuing debate under the theme: "Dedicating our efforts towards reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living."

Away from Parliament, there will be an eye on the Constitutional Court this week. The Constitutional Court will hear the EFF's application on Tuesday to set aside Parliament's decision not to refer President Ramaphosa to an impeachment inquiry. An independent panel concluded that there is prima facie evidence that the President may have committed:

264.1. A serious violation of sections 96(2)(a) of the Constitution.

264.2. A serious violation of section 34(1) of PRECCA.

264.3. A serious misconduct in that the President violated section 96(2)(b) of the Constitution by acting in a way that is inconsistent with his office.

264.4. A serious misconduct in that the President violated section 96(2)(b) of the Constitution by exposing himself to a situation involving a conflict between his official responsibilities and his private business.

There are a number of interesting meetings scheduled in the Committee corridor that are guaranteed to generate headlines. Here is a run down of the highlights:

TUESDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2024

Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [Tabling and presentation of the 2023-24 Public Finance Management Act national and provincial audit outcomes by the Auditor General of South Africa], Committee Room M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-11:45

Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, (National Assembly), [Engagement with the Department of Cooperative Governance on Engagement on the State of Local Government report – (Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs – National Assembly)], Committee Room M515, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, (National Assembly), [Briefing by Adv G Breytenbach on: Constitution Twentieth Amendment Bill [B20-2023], Constitution Twenty-First Amendment Bill [B22-2024]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30

Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the SIU of all the investigations and current cases within the Portfolio; Briefing by the Department on progress in the implementation of recommendations emanating from interactions with unions during the 6th Parliament; Briefing by the Unions (CWU, Nehawu, PSA, BEMAWU) on all outstanding labour relations matters in the ICT Sector; Consideration and adoption of Oversight Report to Eastern Cape; Adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, (National Assembly), [Update by Department of Correctional Services on state of readiness to take over PPP facilities at end of contracts and an update on the litigation underway concerning the Mangaung Correctional Centre; Consideration and adoption of oversight report; Consideration and adoption of BRR Report; Consideration and adoption of committee minutes], Committee Room 1, Ground Floor, 120 Plein Street Building, Parliament, 10:00

Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Minister of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority (BMA) on their plan for readiness for the festive season and the operational challenges at the Lebombo Port of Entry considering political instability in Mozambique; Consideration and adoption of the minutes], Committee Room S35, First Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 10:00-12:30

Standing Committee on Finance, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Pension Fund Adjudicator and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) on the implementation of the two-pot system and failure of employers to pay pension contributions], Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 10:00-13:00

Select Committee on Finance, (National Council of Provinces), [Public Hearings on Tax bills: Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB); Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill (TALAB); Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendments of Revenue Laws Bill (Rates Bill); Global Minimum Tax Bill; Global Minimum Tax Administration Bill; and Revenue Laws Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00

Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Department of Public Service and Administration on the Principal Acts of Public Service Amendment Bill (B14B-2023) and Public Administration Management Amendment Bill (B10B-2023), 2023/2024 Annual Report; and adoption of minutes dated 19 November 2024], Committee Room 2, Ground Floor, 120 Plein Street Building, Parliament, 10:00-14:00


WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2024

Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Hon K Ramokgopa, and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) on the Integrated National Electrification Programme (INEP); Consideration and adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 08:00-10:00

Portfolio Committee on Police, (National Assembly), [Deliberation of Crime Statistics on Second Quarter 2024/25; Briefing by SAPS on Extortion; Briefing by the SAPS on Safer Festive Season Operations; Briefing by SAPS on the Intervention Plan to capacitate the Detective Services Division], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 08:00-14:30

Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [09:00-10:45: Planning meeting to prioritize the tabled annual reports; 11:00-12:30: Renew the Memorandum of Understanding with the Special Investigating Unit], Committee Room M515, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-12:30

Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Legal Practice Council (LPC) on disciplinary matters and challenges facing the LPC and legal profession], The Salga Towers, Foreshore, Cape Town, 09:30

Portfolio Committee on Trade Industry and Competition, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the National Treasury on the Public Procurement Act and its role in contributing to industrialization, inclusive growth and transformation, as well as the roles of the DTIC, the DPME, the Accountant-General and the Auditor-General in ensuring compliance; Consideration of 2024/25 4^th Term Programme], Committee Room M314, Third Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Social Development, (National Assembly), [Briefing by SASSA and DSD on the findings of the investigation on the allegations/findings made by Mr Gosai and Mr Cedras on the weaknesses in the application and payment system of the SRD grant. The briefing should outline mechanisms put in place to address the weaknesses], Committee Room M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00

Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Presidency on the 2024 Special Appropriation Bill], Committee Room S35, First Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00

Select Committee on Security and Justice, (National Council of Provinces), Briefing by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service and the South African Police Service on the Domestic Violence Act implementation report Oct 2023 – March 2024; Committee discussion / reply by Minister and Department], NSFAS Venue, The Halyard No. 4, Christiaan Barnard Street, Cape Town, 10:00-13:00

Standing Committee on Finance, (National Assembly), [Briefing by National Treasury and entities on audit action plans], Committee Room 1, Ground Floor, 120 Plein Street Building, Parliament, 10:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of the A list & B bill of the Public Service Commission Bill; Consideration and adoption of the Committee Report on the PSC Bill; Consideration and adoption of the minutes], Venue to be confirmed, 10:00-16:30

 

FRIDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2024

Select Committee on Finance, (National Council of Provinces), [Response by National Treasury and SARS on Tax Bills and consideration of bills clause by clause: Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB); Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill (TALAB); Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendments of Revenue Laws Bill (Rates Bill); Global Minimum Tax Bill; Global Minimum Tax Administration Bill; and Revenue Laws Amendment Bill], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:00

Standing Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly), [Public Hearings on the 2024 MTBPS, 2024 Adjustments Appropriation Bill and the 2024 Special Appropriation Bill], Good Hope Chamber, Ground Floor, Good Hope Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00

Joint Standing Committee on Defence, (National Council of Provinces), [Introductory briefing on the South African Defence Industry (by the South African Aerospace Maritime Defence Industries Association); Engagement with the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) on outstanding Quarterly Reports; Consideration of Minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00

Select Committee on Appropriations, (National Council of Provinces), [Consideration of Negotiating Mandates on Division of Revenue Amendment Bill [B13 – 2024]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 12:00-14:00

Committees provide a platform for the public to present views directly to MPs. Share your thoughts, on-the-ground experience and expert information with the relevant committees. Critically, what questions should MPs pose to the Executive as they conduct their oversight work? Write to a Parliamentary Committee

 

View the schedule page here

The schedule is subject to frequent changes and needs to be checked daily.

People's Assembly aims to connect the public to their elected representatives. One way of doing so is through our Replocator tool , which allows you to search for the elected representative in your area.