Committee Legacy Report; Oversight Reports: adoption
Meeting Summary
The Committee met to adopt its minutes, oversight reports as well as its legacy report.
All outstanding Committee minutes and reports were adopted. Most importantly, the Committee adopted its legacy report.
The issue of the Technology Innovation Agency forensic report featured prominently in the meeting. The Chairperson noted that the Committee could only note the outstanding issues in its minutes and in its legacy report, such as the forensic report, the Committee could not go beyond its capabilities.
Meeting report
Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes
The Chairperson stated that the Committee would consider and adopt its minutes, oversight reports and legacy report.
Committee Minutes dated 5 March 2014
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Mr M Nonkonyana (ANC) moved for the adoption of the minutes and Ms M Dunjwa (ANC) seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 26 Feb 2014
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Mr Nonkonyana moved for the adoption of the minutes and Dr J Kloopers-Lourens (DA) seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 5 February 2014
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Ms Dunjwa moved for the adoption of the minutes and Ms S Plaatjie (COPE) seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 4 February 2014
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Mr Nonkonyana moved for the adoption of the minutes and Dr Kloopers-Lourens seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 6 November 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Ms Dunjwa moved for the adoption of the minutes and Mr Nonkonyana seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 30 October 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Mr Nonkonyana moved for the adoption of the minutes and Ms P Mocumi (ANC) seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 29 October 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens referred to section 3.1.3 on page 3 and enquired whether the word “removes” was correctly used.
Ms Nina Pasensie, Secretary to the Chairperson, replied that when the meeting took place the legislation was introduced to the Committee for the first time. The Department initially introduced the legislation and the National Assembly had no role. After deliberations the Committee included a clause which stated that the Minister should report any information on the Board.
Ms Dunjwa moved for the adoption of the minutes and Dr Kloopers-Lourens seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 23 October 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Ms Dunjwa referred to page 3, which read that “Members raised concerns around the Committee’s oversight role, given that the parliamentary role in approving Boards will be removed from the Bill”. She asked if the word “removed” was correctly used.
The Chairperson noted that the initial proposal for the minutes was that the Committee had no role, but after deliberations the Committee highlighted that the Minister should report within 30 days.
Ms Dunjwa moved for the adoption of the minutes and Ms Plaatjie seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 16 October 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Mr Nonkonyana moved for the adoption of the minutes and Ms Plaatjie seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 10 October 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Ms Dunjwa moved for the adoption of the minutes and Dr Kloopers-Lourens seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 9 October 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Ms Mocumi noted that a heading could not appear on one page and then the content follows on a different page.
Mr Nonkonyana enquired about the technical layout of reports.
The Chairperson replied that Ms Mocumi reminded the Committee about the rules of writing.
Ms Mocumi moved for the adoption of the minutes and Ms Dunjwa seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 8 October 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Ms Dunjwa moved for the adoption of the minutes and Ms Mocumi seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 18 September 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens noted that the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) forensic report was supposed to be given to the Committee.
Ms Shanaaz Isaacs, Committee Secretary, replied that the issue of TIA was captured in the legacy report. It would be beneficial for the outstanding issue of TIA to be recorded in the legacy report than in the Committee minutes.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens wanted the issue of TIA to be recorded in the Committee minutes, since challenges were raised there. The Auditor General promised to report to the Committee on TIA, but nothing has happened since then.
The Chairperson proposed that since the Committee would not meet they should agree that the TIA forensic report should be emailed to them.
The Chairperson asked Dr Kloopers-Lourens what should be done about the current minutes.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens proposed that a sentence in the minutes should be added on the issue of TIA.
The Chairperson stated that Ms Isaacs should make the corrections and the minutes would be adopted with the amendments.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens moved for the adoption of the minutes with amendments and Ms Mocumi seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 11 September 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens proposed a minor correction on page 2.
Ms Dunjwa moved for the adoption of the minutes and Dr Kloopers-Lourens seconded the motion.
Committee Minutes dated 21 August 2013
The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Mr Nonkonyana moved for the adoption of the minutes and Ms Plaatjie seconded the motion.
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology: Visits to Cofimvaba, the University of Fort Hare, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), the South African Research Chair (SARCHi) for Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Rhodes University, the South African Environmental Observation Network – Elwandle Node (SAEON), the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre, and the KwaNobuhle Essential Oils Project, 22 to 26 July 2013, dated 21 August 2013
The Chairperson tabled the report for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Ms Dunjwa moved for the adoption of the report and Dr Kloopers-Lourens seconded the motion.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens enquired about the Limpopo report.
Ms Isaacs replied that she thought the Committee would not formally adopt the Limpopo report. The report was not comprehensive; it affirmed that the Committee attended the Limpopo summit and accounted that money from Parliament was used.
The Chairperson proposed that the Limpopo report should be adopted, regardless of how informal the report was.
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology on its activities undertaken during the 4th Parliament (May 2009 – March 2013)
The Chairperson tabled the report for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
The Chairperson referred to page 25 of the legacy report on the outstanding issues of the Committee which read, “Report of the forensic investigation into the Technology Innovation Agency’s (TIA) financial matters and a briefing in this regard”. He noted that the next Committee should do a follow-up on the above issue.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens asked if the Committee’s work ended today or on 6 May 2014. She noted that two weeks ago the Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology was asked to submit the forensic report to the Committee before its last meeting. No response was given.
The Chairperson stated that the next Committee would do a follow-up on the forensic report.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens noted that the Director-General promised to submit the report to the Committee. The report was not given and no feedback was provided. She asked if the Committee should accept that no response was given on the forensic report.
The Chairperson asked for a suggestion on the way forward.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens noted that from the Chairperson’s office a letter should be given to the Director-General on this issue. The Director-General should explain why the Committee was ignored on the forensic report.
Ms Dunjwa noted that the Department agreed that when the investigation was concluded the Committee would receive the report. She proposed that feedback should be given on the progress of the investigation.
The Chairperson noted that the next Committee would address the outstanding issues highlighted.
The Chairperson noted that he was not sure if Dr Kloopers-Lourens would prefer a special meeting on this issue.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens stated that the forensic report was completed in September 2013. The Board was supposed to have worked through the report and respond to it, which would have been completed in December 2013. This issue was of interest to the Democratic Alliance.
Ms Mocumi stated that the Committee had completed its responsibilities and could not go any further. The next Committee would do the follow-up on the outstanding issues.
Ms Dunjwa stated that all parties were concerned about the forensic report, but regardless of the importance of the report the Committee could not be held back by it. She proposed a follow-up to the Director-General to enquire about the progress of the report, and proposed that the Committee meet once a response was provided by the Department. She was concerned that it may be perceived that the Committee had little interest in TIA.
The Chairperson stated that the Committee should include the issue of TIA, in its minutes and in its legacy report as the Committee had done all it could do. Any political party could write a letter to government on the Departments inability to conclude the matter.
Ms H Line-Hendricks (ANC) proposed that Dr Kloopers-Lourens should write a comprehensive report to her caucus. The report should be handed to the new Members of Parliament so a follow-up could be done. She disagreed with Ms Dunjwa’s proposal of scheduling a Committee meeting.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens expected the forensic report, not for the Committee to meet.
The Chairperson noted that the Committee Secretary would do a follow-up. He noted that if the Democratic Alliance placed pressure on Dr Kloopers-Lourens then they could write a letter directly to government/business. The Committee has done all it could, the Committee could not do anything further.
Ms Mocumi moved for the adoption of the report and Ms Plaatjie seconded the motion.
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology on attending the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Summit in Limpopo on 20 and 21 July 2013, dated 14 August 2013
The Chairperson tabled the report for consideration.
The Committee went through the document page-by-page.
Ms Dunjwa noted that the report should reflect the observations of the Committee. She noted that the Department of Higher Education & Training and the Department of Basic Education should have attended the summit in Limpopo.
The Chairperson proposed that the Secretary should make the amendments.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens noted that the Committee observations was on page 3, which stated that a key factor raised was the need for the education departments to forge a closer relationship with that of science and technology as the success of developing strategic STI capability was dependent on the effectiveness of the education system. Education was seen as priority in skills development and therefore a commitment to stronger engagement with both the departments of education.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens proposed that a sentence should be added that both departments should have been in attendance.
Ms Dunjwa moved for the adoption of the report with the amendments and Dr Kloopers-Lourens seconded the motion.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens noted that she had contacted various entities to enquire whether they were aware of the Science and Technology Laws Amendment Bill. She contacted the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) but they were not aware of the legislation, even though they received the documentation.
The Chairperson noted that it was not the responsibility of the Committee to check if the various entities read the legislation. He proposed that the Minister could be informed that the various entities were not aware of the legislation.
Dr Kloopers-Lourens stated that in her caucus she was asked if all entitles were satisfied with the legislation.
The Chairperson stated that it was not the responsibility of the Committee to ensure that entities read the legislation.
The Chairperson thanked the Committee for their support.
The meeting was adjourned.
Documents
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