Maluti-A-Phofung Petition Hearing Report & Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act Petition Hearing Report: adoption

Meeting report

Opening Remarks
The Chairperson welcomed all present in the meeting. He said that purpose of the meeting was for the consideration and ddoption of the Maluti-A-Phofung Petition Hearing Report; the Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) Petition Hearing Report and outstanding Committee Minutes.

The Chairperson said that last week the Committee could not discharge the work it was supposed to do because it could not form a quorum for that meeting, but he was glad everybody was present so that the Committee could proceed with its work.

The Chairperson said that the other thing was that some of the Members of the Committee were aware of the media statement issued by Knysna Municipality showing some level of ignorance through its Mayor, who said that the Committee was not supposed allowing those petitioners to petition the Committee. The Municipality decided that it did not need to appear before the Committee as it believed it had done everything there and there was no need for anyone to speak on the matter any longer.

The Chairperson had since requested Parliament’s legal unit to summon the Municipality so that it could appear before the Committee.

Mr M Mohapi (ANC; Free State) said that last week a meeting was postponed as a result of a quorum. Some Members had forwarded an apology that they would arrive late because of traffic. But when they asked why the meeting was cancelled they were told there was a stipulation of 15 minutes. And after the 15 minutes had lapsed the meeting was called off. He asked what the determination of 15 minutes was because he feared a situation whereby a precedent could be created without Members having a specific stipulation that would guide them in future in terms of their proceedings.

The Chairperson responded that the meeting was called off after 20 minutes because of a norm or practice. Members who were present wanted to do other things, and after they’ve consulted with the Committee staff and waited for 15 minutes they decided to call off the meeting.

Mr Mohapi said that he would be glad that it could be captured that other Members who were present decided to leave, but not say it was a practise of the Committee because it would differ from one institution to the other.

The Chairperson said that the concern raised by Mr Mohapi will be captured and need not to be debated

Apologies

The Committee received apologies from Mr J Mthethwa (ANC) and Mr M Chetty (DA).

Consideration and Adoption of the Maluti-A-Phofung Petition Hearing Report
The Chairperson said that the Committee should go through the report page by page.

Mr G Michalakis (DA; Free State) referred to the recommendation and said that the municipality must prioritise the petitioners. He was concerned that the municipality already had a housing list which also had to be taken into consideration because there were a lot of people on that list. The recommendation should rather read as follows: “The municipality should accommodate the petitioners in a fair and just way in relation to the municipality’s housing programme”. In that way they would not disadvantage people that were already on the housing list.

The Chairperson said that the Committee should amend their recommendation to the municipality in order to avoid confusion

Mr D Ximbi (ANC; Western Cape) moved for the adoption of the report with amendments.

Ms B Engelbrecht (Gauteng, DA) seconded the move.

The report was duly adopted.

Consideration and Adoption of Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) Petition Hearing Report

The Chairperson tabled the document for consideration.

Members had no input in relation to the document.

Mr Ximbi moved for the adoption of the report.

Mr M Mhlanga (Mpumalanga, ANC) seconded the move.

The Committee adopted the report.

Committee Minutes dated 25 November 2015

The Chairperson tabled the document for consideration.

Ms T Mokwele (North West, EFF) said that she had forwarded an apology for that meeting because of a time change but it was not reflected in the minutes.

The Chairperson said it would be corrected by the Committee Secretary.

Mr Mohapi moved for the adoption of the minutes with amendments.

Ms T Wana (Eastern Cape, ANC) seconded the move.

The Committee adopted the minutes of 25 November 2015 with amendments.

Minutes of 27 January 2016

The Chairperson tabled the document for consideration.

Ms Manolope (Northern Cape, ANC) moved for the adoption of minutes.

Ms Wana seconded the move.

The Committee adopted the minutes of 27 January 2016

The Chairperson thanked Members for their participation and inputs.

The meeting was adjourned.