DFFE and entities' Budget Vote Report

Meeting report

The Chairperson officially opened the meeting, and the agenda for the meeting was presented. The agenda was adopted by Ms R Nalumango (ANC) and seconded by Mr A De Blocq Van Scheltinga (DA). The Chairperson asked that Committee Members keep their videos on when deliberating, as the meeting was live on the Parliament platform. The Chairperson switched off her screen due to connectivity issues and asked Parliament to take note of this. An apology was noted from Mr W Peach (DA).

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on the Strategic Plan 2019/20—2024/25, Annual Performance Plans 2024/25 and the Budget Vote 32 of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

Mr Nhlanhla Ginindza, Content Advisor, Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, presented the draft Committee Report on Budget Vote No. 32 of the DFFE.

Committee Members had already been provided with the report prior to the meeting, and the purpose of this presentation was to go through the report section by section, checking for any changes or corrections, as Mr De Blocq Van Scheltinga suggested.

The Chairperson asked that Mr Ginindza lead the presentation of the report from the discussions on Strategic Plans, Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Budget section.

The Committee budget vote report including the Committee interaction with the Minister and Deputy Ministers of DFFE, the programmes of the Department and entities within the purview of the Department.

The Committee’s recommendations were as follows:

• When targets are adjusted upwards or downwards, the Department and entities should specify both the original or benchmark figure and new targets for clarity;
• The Department should provide a detailed breakdown of the targeted beneficiaries of donated game heads, including the 750 donations planned for the current financial year;
• SAWS should maximise the current revenue generation streams before considering establishing a new entity; and
• SAWS should submit written responses within three days

Members input

Mr De Blocq Van Scheltinga commended the quality of the report, seeing as there had been no comments or objections throughout the presentation [of the report]. He asked that his question around the length of time required for proper public consultation on the RAMSAR (The Convention on Wetlands) site discussed in point 5.5.2 of the report be altered for better understanding.

The amendment was agreed to.

Dr L Managa (EFF) asked whether the written responses promised by the South African Weather Services (SAWS) to the Committee had been provided.

The Committee Secretary responded that SAWS had promised to draft the responses over the weekend, however, a follow-up would be made the following Monday.

Mr De Blocq Van Scheltinga made changes to the phrasing of his question to the Department as noted in the report under point 5.81 and 5.8.2.

Mr De Blocq Van Scheltinga made changes to point 6.2.8.

The Chairperson said the report should reflect that the Committee still awaited SAWS’ written response.

It was agreed this would be inserted under recommendations.

Dr Managa asked about the inclusion of the Portfolio Committee’s efforts to work alongside the iSimangaliso executives to combat the issue of employment (in reference to Ezemvelo) and generation of revenue in the report. She asked that the issue be investigated to be discussed in the following meeting.

It was agreed this would be included in the recommendations.

The Chairperson stated that there would be more time to engage with the Department and its entities, and this report did not represent the entirety of the discussions. Any issues regarding the iSimangaliso entity would be dealt with in future meetings and oversight visits.

Dr Managa assisting with wording for her recommendation. She suggested that the Committee conduct an oversight visit to understand the Ezemvelo matter better.

The Content Advisor suggested omitting the recommendation in the interim as further briefings would be received. This is more of a recommendation for the Committee’s further consideration and less so for the House.

Dr Managa agreed to further research for future discussions.

The Chairperson decided to park the iSimangaliso issue until further briefings were received.

The Content Advisor said further minor amendments would be made to the grammar of the report.

Ms N Makasi (ANC) moved to adopt the report and was seconded by Ms Nalumango with corrections.

Dr Managa, on behalf of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, rejected the adoption of the report due to incomplete responses.  

See report here https://pmg.org.za/tabled-committee-report/5885/

The Chairperson closed the meeting.