Home Affairs Portfolio Committee: Five Year Strategic Plan and Programme

Meeting report

Adoption of Committee’s Strategic Planning Report 2009-2014
The Chairperson noted that the five year plan provided a framework that would guide the Committee’s work and highlight the key issues that would be addressed in the fourth Parliament. As part of its priorities, the Committee had identified the need to eliminate fraud and corruption in the Department and to ensure that the latter achieved an unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor-General. The Committee had made a commitment to carry out its oversight duties and establish good working relations between all the stakeholders.

Members were invited to make their observations and inputs on the report.

Mr M Mnqasela (DA) noted that the report included issues that the Committee still needed to be briefed on by the Department such as the “Who am I Online” initiative. It was important that all the items go through the proper processes and channels before being approved for implementation by the Department. Apart from a few spelling errors, he was otherwise happy with the document.

The Chairperson replied that the Minister of Home Affairs would report back on the “Who am I Online” initiative. In addition, he mentioned that the documentation for travellers coming from Lesotho needed to be improved, as the current system was inadequate and liable to fraud, as Lesotho did not even have a population register.

Ms Z Balindlela (COPE) addressed several issues. Firstly, she advised that the financial management in the Department needed to be monitored closely. Secondly, she asked whether the Committee would be able to aptly do its oversight work considering the disruptive vacation periods set out in the 2010 parliamentary timetable. Thirdly, she commented that gaps in some legislation needed to be addressed and filled where holes were evident regardless whether the affect was direct or indirect. Finally, she asked what the role of the Committee was in respect of the Human Trafficking Bill that was recently introduced in Parliament.

The Chairperson replied that all questions on policy should be addressed to the Department when it next met with the Committee.

Ms M Maunye (ANC) asked whether the Advanced Passenger Processing (APP) Bill would affect the influx of people expected during the World Cup period.

The Chairperson replied that the APP Bill was still not being implemented fully and more feedback was required from the Department to better comprehend the Bill and the effect it would have on the Department and its level of readiness. The Department was in discussion with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on implementing the “Who Am I Online” initiative. Finally, he said that all outstanding concerns were noted and would appear in the updated version of the report and programme.

Members made a few technical amendments and thereafter approved the report.

Adoption on Committee Report on Budget Vote 4 of the Department of Home Affairs and its entities
The Chairperson tabled the report for consideration.

There were no objections raised and the report was adopted without amendments.

The meeting was adjourned.