Problems of Committee Processing Immigration Bill

Meeting report

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RULES COMMITTEE
13 March 2002
PROBLEMS OF COMMITTEE PROCESSING IMMIGRATION BILL

Chairperson: The Speaker (Ms F Ginwala)

Documents handed out:
Letter from Mr Mokoena

Relevant document:
Letter from Mr Mokoena outlining latest revised programme (18 March 2002) [Appendix 1]

SUMMARY
The meeting was straightforward and precise. Even though some member wanted to include the issue of Mr Mokoena's attitude, the Chairperson was more concerned about the Immigration Bill and dismissed any attempt to dwell on the former.

The Committee agreed that a special meeting of the Programme Committee should be held and the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee should meet to expedite the matter. Finally, the Bill had to be finalised by end of April and tabled to the National Assembly on 6 May.

MINUTES
The Chairperson stated clearly that the purpose of the meeting was to find out how far the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs was in terms of processing the Immigration Bill. She then asked Mr Mokoena (Chairperson of Home Affairs Portfolio Committee) to explain the programme.

One member interjected that the meeting should also look into Mr Mokoena's attitude and actions. Many members agreed.

However the Chairperson emphasised the purpose of the meeting and said that the issue of Mr Mokoena could be reviewed at a separate meeting if necessary.

Mr Mokoena stated that his Committee was progressing with the Bill and assured the meeting that it would be enacted on time this year. He also mentioned that there would be broad consultations and briefings with various departments, NGOs, NEDLAC, business, academics and other interested parties.

Questions
Mr Gibson (DP) noted that the three briefing meetings (19 March, 15 April morning and afternoon) are a duplication if the Minister, the Deputy Minister and the Department had made briefings. He also said that Mr Mokoena's proposal was inadequate as it said nothing about the NCOP cycle and that it should be rejected. He added that briefings and consultations without names were hopeless.

Mr De Lange (ANC) proposed that there was urgency to find a way forward and make sure the Bill would be enacted on 2 June 2002. He also suggested that the two Houses and Committees should meet to push the way forward and sit even during recess. Mr Pretorius agreed with him.

Mr Nel (ANC) suggested that the Programme Committee be given some time guidelines to finalise and present their programme. He suggested that they present a programme for processing the Bill by 6 May 2002.

Mr Green agreed with this suggestion and emphasised that the Committee must present a final programme, not a draft. He, however, noted that during recess it will be a constituency period and so members will be busy and should not use that time for the purpose of the Bill.

Mr Green also noted that Mr Mokoena's proposal did not seem to correspond with what the meeting had suggested. In reply, the Chairperson said that that would not be a problem because Mr Mokoena would have to follow parliamentary procedures.

An IFP member said that even though the meeting had come with good suggestion, he did not have confidence in Mr Mokoena.

Mr Gibson (DP) pointed out that the Committee should also consider time for the President to consider the Bill before signing it.

In conclusion the Chairperson proposed three actions. Firstly, that a special meeting of the Programme Committee should be held. Secondly, that Mr Mokoena convene a meeting with his Committee to expedite the matter. Finally, that the Bill be finalised by end of April and tabled to the National Assembly on 6 May.

The meeting agreed to the proposal and she declared the meeting closed.

Appendix 1:
Revised Programme as presented to Programme Committee on 18 March 2002

From: Chairperson of Home Affairs Portfolio Committee, Aubrey Mokoena (ANC)

To: Chairperson of Committees, MJ Mahlangu (MP)

18 March 2002

Re: Processing of the Immigration Bill

Dear Honourable Mahlangu

I am pleased to submit to you a programme for the processing of the Immigration Bill. This is a sequel to the Draft Programme, which was submitted to the National Assembly Rules Committee on 13 March 2002.

Hereunder is a programme adopted by the Portfolio Committee of Home Affairs at its meeting on 18/03/02 at v475

1. Briefing by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. MG Buthelezi, and by the Special Advisor to the Minister, Dr. M Oriani-Ambrosini:

Date: 19 March 2002

Time: 14h00 - 16h00

Venue:

2. Briefing by the Deputy Minister, Mr C Nqakula:

Date: 15 April 2002

Time: 11h00 - 13h00

Venue

Briefing by the Department:

Date: 15 April 2002

Time: 14h00 - 16h00

3. SARS (South African Revenue Services) on Customs and Excise at border posts

Date: 16 April 2002

Time: 10h00 - 13h00

Venue:

SALGA (South African Local Government Association)

Date: 16 April 2002

Time: 14h00 - 15h30

Venue:

Nedlac (National Economic Development and Labour

Council)

Date: 16 April 2002

Time: 16h00 - 18h00

Venue:

4. Business

Date: 17 April 2002

Time: 10h00 - 16h00

Venue:

5. Trade Unions:

Cosatu

Fedusa

Nactu

Date: 18 April 2002

Time: 10h00 - 16h00

Venue:

6. Briefing by Portfolio Committee Chairpersons on relevant sections of Immigration Bill:

Chairperson of PC on Safety and Security

Chairperson of the PC on Defence

Chairperson of PC on Justice

Chairperson of PC on Finance (budgetary implications of Bill)

Chairperson of the PC on Trade and Industry

Chairperson of the PC on Foreign Affairs

Chairperson of the PC on Education

Chairperson of the PC on Labour

Chairperson of the PC on Public Service & Administration

Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (overview)

Date: 22 April 2002

Time: 10h00 - 16h00

Venue:

7. Non- Governmental Organisations: Approach Sangoco (South African NGO Coalition)

Date: 23 April 2002

Time: 10h00 - 13h00

Venue:

Academia

Date: 23 April 2002

Time: 14h00 - 16h00

Venue:

South African Human Rights Commission

Date: 23 April 2002

Time: 16h00 - 18h00

Venue:

8. Input by PC on Home Affairs on experiences and insight

gained on the SADC study tour

Date: 24 April 2002

Time: 10h00 - 13h00

Venue:

9. Consolidations of inputs (By Chairperson and Committee

Secretary

Date: 24 April 2002 - 26 April 2002

Time: 10h00 - 16h00

Venue:

10. Inputs by parties: Direct involvement of PC on Home Affairs

Date: 29 April 2002

Time: 10h00 - 16h00

Venue:

11. Finalisation and Vote on the Bill by the PC on Home Affairs

Date: 30 April 2002

Time: 10h00 - 16h00

Venue:

12. Debate and Vote in the National Assembly

Caucus: 10h00 - 12h00

Date: 02 May 2002

Time: 14h00 - 18h00

13. Finalisation and Vote by NCOP Select Committee

Date: 03 May 2002

14. Presidential Assent
15. Gazetting

I hope that you find this Programme in order.

Yours faithfully

___________________________

Aubrey Mokoena

Chairperson: PC on Home Affairs

cc: The Speaker of the NA Dr. F Ginwala

The Deputy Speaker of the NA Ms. Mbete

Minister of Home Affairs: Dr. MG Buthelezi

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs: Mr C Nqakula

Director General of Home Affairs: Mr BL Masetlha

Members of the PC on Home Affairs