Committee Reports: transformation in the fishing sector, & proposed Chile study tour
Meeting Summary
Members discussed at length their planned September study tour and the Committee researcher presented reasons why she chose Chile rather than other countries like Brazil. There was at present a moratorium on delegations fromMembers went through the Committee's report on transformation within the fishing sector and the majority felt the prevalence of fronting was a problem. The DA Member, however felt such conduct needed investigation as not all companies were tainted by it. The Chairperson asked to be controversial and venture that all companies were involved in the practice. The DA Member said he would refuse to vote for the report if it was generalised in those terms.
A compromise was reached whereby it was agreed that the existence of fronting within the industry would be written in a separate heading within the report and recommendations to deal with it would be stated prominently and submitted to the Department to deal with.
Meeting report
Committee Researcher's Report on proposed
The Chairperson asked Ms Nokuzola Mgxashe, the Committee Researcher, to give input about her findings regarding the planned study tour.
Ms Mgxashe motivated her reasons for choosing
Discussion
The Chairperson asked Members to reflect on what the Committee was trying to achieve through the study tour. He mentioned that Member inputs should be guided by this consideration.
Mr L van Dalen (DA) motivated for the Committee to go to
Ms M Pilusa-Mosoane (ANC) agreed that
Ms N Twala (ANC) said that
Mr Van Dalen emphasized it would still be economical to book a day or two in
Mr Dineo Martin, Committee Secretary (Acting), interjected and said that the reason Parliament had put a moratorium on visits to
Ms Pilusa-Mosoane mentioned that during her time in the
Mr B Bhanga (COPE) acknowledged that he has not been with the Committee for a long time; however, tours should be based on problems and priorities facing the Committee and the Department, and therefore suggested the Chairperson use his high office to motivate as requested by Members – going to
Mr L Gaehler (UDM) agreed that
Committee Report on Transformation in the Fishing Sector in
The Chairperson read the report recommendations and asked Members for comment.
[After some confusion about whose recommendations were currently on the report, it was agreed that these “recommendations” were mere summaries emanating from the various presentations because the Committee had not yet sat formally to formulate its recommendations]
Discussion
Mr Van Dalen commented on page 18, recommendations, and suggested that investigations not be done by The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) but rather a commission of inquiry be set up to investigate and provide direction.
The Chairperson stressed the prevalence of “fronting” in the industry and wondered whether recommendations to address it should not be listed separately as they were currently not prominent enough.
Ms Pilusa-Mosoane agreed that recommendations on fronting need to be reported on prominently.
Mr Van Dalen said fronting could not be assumed to exist without an investigation taking place, as there was a need to be specific about companies involved in this so that not all companies were tainted in an industry employing thousands of people (who risked losing their jobs).
The Chairperson asked to be controversial and suggested that all companies were involved in fronting in one form or another.
Mr Van Dalen interjected saying not all companies were involved.
[Members where divided about whether to agree that all companies were involved or just some.]
The Chairperson settled the matter by saying that, even though it would not be written as such in the Committee’s report and recommendations, it was, however, necessary that the Committee took a strong stance against this practice as it was widespread in other departments as well.
Mr Gaehler added that the Committee should merely report and make recommendations on the issue and leave investigations and remedial action to the Department.
The Chairperson asked Members for comment on skills transfer, fishing rights, and share ownership.
Mr Van Dalen asked how long a Black Economic Empowerment shareholder was required to keep his/her shares before selling. This caused problems for companies who gave free or discounted shares to shareholders who promised to help secure fishing rights. After the fishing rights were secured, the black shareholders sold their shares leaving the company BEE-unaccredited and at risk of losing its fishing rights.
The Chairperson said that only the Minister could determine the sale or transfer of fishing rights.
Mr S Abram (ANC) was emphatic, saying that, more important than the adoption of this report, it was about service delivery to the people who shared their plight with the Committee.
The report was adopted and seconded.
The meeting was adjourned.
Present
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