Committee Report on Department Budget

Meeting report

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22 June 2004
COMMITTEE REPORT ON DEPARTMENT BUDGET

Chairperson: Mr H Chauke (ANC)

Documents handed out
Committee Report on Department Budget

SUMMARY
The Committee
The Committee unanimously agreed to adopt the report with minor technical amendments. Some Members were concerned that the issue of foreign voters had not been covered. The Committee also agreed to adopt the Committee Programme and discussed various provincial visits, and a study tour to France and the United Kingdom. They planned to deal with amendments to the Immigration Act in early August, as well as considering nominated Electoral Commissioners. They might possibly even need to meet over the recess.

MINUTES

Budget Report
The Chairperson said that the Committee had met to consider the adoption of the Budget Report and the Committee Programme. He asked if Members had had time to peruse the report they had received a week ago. The report had to reflect the Committee's findings and the input made by the Minister and her Deputy.

Discussion
Mr K Morwamoche (ANC) said he was happy with the report. It reflected everything the Committee had done.

Ms M Maunye (ANC) asked why the concern about overseas voters had not been reflected in the report.

The Chairperson said that the issue of overseas voters had not been included because it was not reflected in the budget. They still had an outstanding report from the Department. They should note the issue for the next meeting and ask the Department for a pertinent report on how much had been spent on these voters.

The Committee unanimously agreed to adopt the report with minor technical amendments.

Committee Programme
The Chairperson reported that the Committee had planned to do provincial visits, but would instead need to consider an envisaged amendment to the Immigration Act during the first week of August. There was a possibility that Members might work during the recess to deal with the amendments. The Department's target was to finish the amendments by September. The President had set a three-month deadline.

In August, the Committee would also have to consider the Commissioners names recommended by the Independent Electoral Commission Committee. The IEC Committee, as chaired by Judge Arthur Chaskalson, would also receive nominations from the public. The shortlisted names would be brought to the Committee that would decide whether to adopt the names. The names would be presented to the National Assembly for the final adoption. The Committee's target was to finalise the names in mid-August. Members were asked to encourage the public to participate in this process, but not to influence their nominations.

They would then receive a briefing by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) on Cross-border migration and other related issues, also in August. The Chairperson would be meeting with the UNHCR Co-ordinator that day.

There would be a study tour to France and the United Kingdom in October to get familiarise the Department with international laws dealing with immigration issues. Back in South Africa, a trip to the Free State would include visits to border posts

The Department would be asked to brief the Committee about the process and sustainability of the ongoing ID Book Campaign.

Discussion
Mr M Swart (DA) asked if the activities scheduled for 24 and 25 June had been cancelled. The Chairperson affirmed this.

Mr W Skhosana (ANC) asked if they would continue with current the September programme. He felt that training before the overseas trip would help to enlighten Members. The Chairperson said training would take place.

Mr M Sibande (ANC) said that during the IEC presentation, it had seemed they needed to re-look at an overview of the provinces. When the Department had visited the North West Province, they had seen that this province had been the most affected by illegal immigration. He asked how the problem could be tackled.

The Chairperson agreed with Mr Sibande and said the only problem was covering all provinces in good time. Some provinces might only be done next year. Mpumalanga would be a priority.

The Programme was adopted unanimously by the Committee.

The meeting was adjourned.