Committee Business and Planning

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS STANDING COMMITTEE
7 September 2005
COMMITTEE BUSINESS AND PLANNING

Chairperson: Mr F Beukman (NNP)

These minutes were provided by the Parliament Committee Secretary, Mr Lungisile Pakati

MINUTES OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

NO 22 (2005)

DATE: 07 SEPTEMBER 2005

VENUE: OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER

TIME: 11H00 – 13H00


PRESENT

AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Mr DM Gumede
Mr F Beukman (Chairperson)
Dr GW Koornhof
Ms LL Mabe
Ms L Mashiane
Mr TR Mofokeng
Mr RS Ndou

DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

Ms A Dreyer

UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT

Mr GT Madikiza

UNITED CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Mr BE Pule

APOLOGIES

Mr PJA Gerber (ANC)
MR EW Trent (DA)
Ms T Tobias (ANC)
Dr G Woods (NADECO)
Mr V Smith (ANC)

SECRETARIAT
L Pakati
N Madide
G Dixon

OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL
Mr C Botes
Ms N Hlasa

REASEARCH
Mr L Zepe

AGENDA ITEMS

1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meting were adopted with one spelling correction.

2. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES

2.1 The Mozambique Report: It was reported that the report was still under consideration by the members of the delegation.


2.2 MCom Program (Stellenbosch University): The chairperson mentioned that Mr Don Gumede had availed himself as a link between the coordinators of the program and Scopa Members who participate in the program.

After a discussion on the program, it was greed that orientation should take place on Monday, 12 September 2005, from 11h00 to 13h00, and orientation in computers would take place on the following day from 11h00 to 13h00 after the joint meeting of the two groups.

2.3 Procurement and disposal procedures at Parliament: It was agreed that the Groups would visit the places where furniture is disposed of.

2.4 Invitation to a Conference by the Nigerian Institute of Industrial Management: After the secretariat had advised that the Conference was on "Comparative Legislative Practice" and that the objective was to expose participants to "proper legislative procedure", it was agreed that the Conference had no direct value to the Committee because Scopa is essentially an oversight Committee.

3. REPORT-BACK BY GROUPS

3.1 Group One (Mr Gumede, Acting Convenor)

Resolutions considered: At its last meeting the Group considered a number of resolutions.
Resolutions tabled and adopted: The Group presented 14 resolutions for adoption. The following resolutions were duly adopted: South African Diamond Board, POSLEC-SETA, CTFL-SETA, PAETA, LGWSETA, Financial Services Board, Financial and Fiscal Commission, CSIR, SABC, ICASA, Competition Tribunal, South African Veterinary Council, Ingonyama Trust Board and Airports Company South Africa Limited (ACSA)


Resolution on Unauthorised Expenditure: It was reported that the Unauthorised Expenditure was scheduled for consideration and possible finalisation at the next group meeting.

3.2 Group Two (Ms L Mabe)

Consideration of Resolutions: The Group considered 20 resolutions. The Group also considered the unauthorised expenditures and would report at next plenary.
Resolutions Tabled and Adopted: The following resolutions were tabled and adopted at plenary: Media Development and Diversity Agency, International Marketing Council, Independent Electoral Commission, Home Affairs, State Information Technology, National Student Fund, Artscape, Council on Higher Education, Department of Arts and Culture, Government Communication, Lepelle Northern Water, National Museum Bloemfontein, Umngeni Water, Namaqua Water Board, Overberg Water, Pelladrift Water, Rand Water, Sedibeng Water, Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority and Water Research Commission.

4. DEBATE OF SCOPA REPORTS AT PLENARY (National Assembly)

Adoption as Priority Over Debate: It was agreed that the priority was to get the reports adopted by the House and the matter of whether they should be debated or not was secondary.

In addition, Mr Mofokeng and the Chairperson were tasked to follow up on how the debate would be structured and conducted in view of the large number of reports that are above the line.

5. REPORTS TABLED FOR ADOPTION

SADCOPAC Report – The Report was duly adopted.
ACPAC Report - The Report was scheduled for adoption at next plenary.

6. APAC Conference

Non- Approval of Funding: The chairperson mentioned that the application for funding was not approved. The reason advanced by the Chief Whip was that the conference was scheduled to occur during a constituency period.

Agreement: It was agreed that the chairperson of the APAC, Mr V Smith would be informed about the decision of the Chief Whip and the Committee would, afterwards, decide on the way forward.

7. COMMITTEE BUDGET

Agreement: It was agreed that a copy of the latest budget expenditure would be distributed for information to all Members.


8. GENERAL

Resignation of the Chairperson: The chairperson, Mr F Beukman made an official announcement to the effect that he had left the New National Party and joined the ruling African National Congress. Due to this development he had decided to tender his resignation as the chairperson of the Committee with effect from 30 September 2005. He then proceeded to thank all the Members of the Committee for their cooperation. He also thanked Members of staff including the Office of the Auditor General, the Secretariat, Research, and Legal Advice for their hard work.

Comment by Members of Individual Political Parties: All Members of political parties present thanked Mr Beukman for his leadership during his tenure as chairperson and wished him success into the future.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 13h00