PC communications: Second Term Committee Programme

Meeting report

Welcome and Apologies
The Chairperson welcomed everyone and noted that an apology for Mr A Shaik (NFP) had been received.

Second Term Committee Programe
The Chairperson went through the list of dates and highlighted the Committees’s planned activities for the second term. She said the first meeting was to ascertain the scope of the Committee’s work. The presentation on sector analysis on 12 August would be put on hold for the present. The adoption of the minutes of joint meetings would not be on 19 August as the item was on the agenda only on the following date, which is 22 August. She noted that the time of the meetings would be 09:30 not 09:00.
The Chairperson invited Members to comment on the draft programme.

Mr G Davis (DA) said that the programme may be affected due to the constituency week of 4-11 August. He asked why the agenda was not drafted by the Committee with all members participating. His understanding is that the members would start with a blank canvas then paint in the agenda items.

The Chairperson said that as chairperson she had specific responsibilities – one of these being the drafting of agendas. However, the Committee would be given the opportunity to discuss it.

Mr Davis noted that the briefing on the skills audit by the SABC would be on the same day as the briefing by the Minister on the Public Protector Report on the SABC. He asked whether the matter of the lack of skills and appointment of the SABC Chairperson would be included in the discussion.

The Chairperson said that the SABC Board was appointed by this Committee and it was a serious matter. The legal team was working on it and she was satisfied with its consistent feedback and its progress.

Mr M Ndlozi (EFF) said that the Public Protector Report was not being served to this Committee. He wanted to know how it had been commissioned and what the finding was. It would strengthen the Committee’s oversight function if these points were addressed. He added that discussion should take place in the presence of people affected by the report.

The Chairperson said that the process with the Minister had already commenced and the feedback was going well. The agenda was aligned with these issues. On the appointment of the SABC chairperson, members’ suggestions were welcomed.

Mr Ndlozi said he had not familiarised himself with the report and it would serve as the basis of information.

Mr M Kalako (ANC) said that the Committee should continue as per the draft programme, with the briefing by the Minister. If the briefing was not sufficient the Committee could always call the Minister back for another session.

The Chairperson said that independent bodies was of great assistance with their respective reports. The Committee should hear the Public Protector reports and take the discussion forward based on the outcome of the presentation.

Mr Davis said that the report could not be discussed since it had not been tabled. He was in support of the EFF – that the SABC should be present in the briefing by the Minister.

The Chaiperson said that the Minister will account after 19 August.

Mr Ndlozi said that the Chairperson stated that the report could not be responded to because it had not been tabled.

The Chairperson said that she had never said that.

Mr R Tseli (ANC) said that members should not pre-empt what the Minister would say.

The Chairperson said that annual performance plan issues was included in the report, and other issues would also be addressed in the Minister’s briefing.

Mr Kalako moved to adopt the report. It was seconded by Mr Tseli.

Previous minutes

The minutes were read. There were no amendments. Mr M Kekana (ANC) moved that the minutes be adopted. Ms N Ndongeni (ANC) was the seconder.
The minutes were accordingly approved with no changes.

The meeting adjourned.