Committee Programme for 2006

Meeting report

DEFENCE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
15 November 2005
COMMITTEE PROGRAMME FOR 2006

Chairperson: Ms T Tobias (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Draft Committee Performance Plan

SUMMARY
The Committee discussed and adopted its draft programme for 2006. The Committee report on its visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo could not be discussed as it had not been finalised yet.

MINUTES
Committee Report on Committee Visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Mr R Sayedali-Shah (DA) said that he had not brought the report to the meeting.

Mr O Monareng (ANC) suggested that the Committee should renew the mandate of the Members who were supposed to compile the DRC report

Mr Ndlovu (IFP) commented that he had not even been aware that he was part of the team mandated to compile the report.

Mr S Ntuli (ANC) said it was clear that Mr Ndlovu had not been informed properly, but the Committee still expected a report.

Mr Mngomezulu explained that the Committee drafting team had not started compiling the report.

The Chairperson ruled that the Members who were mandated should compile and present the report. Mr M Booi (ANC) would be the leader of the drafting team.

Consideration of Committee’s Draft Programme: 2006

The Chairperson said that she did not expect Members to make additions to the programme because it was just a draft.

Mr Sayedali-Shah said that the Committee had to go below the surface when dealing with Armscor and Denel. The Committee should ask for a comprehensive report.

Mr Ndlovu said that soldier conscription needed to be prioritised and he reiterated Mr Sayedali’s position on Denel and Armscor. He said that the Committee knew nothing about the Indian arms deal with Denel. He also said that gender sensitivity had not been dealt with in the programme. He then asked why the programme did not show any foreign visits.

The Chairperson said that the Committee would be visiting Canada in 2006.

Ms Johnson said that military veterans’ pensions should be prioritised.

Mr Mngomezulu proposed that the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee should accompany the Defence Committee on its visit to the border.

The Chairperson said that the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee had already been contacted about the visit. Mr Sayedali said that he had sent a letter to the Chairperson. The Chairperson said that the issues in the letter would be dealt with later because she had not even read the letter.

Dr G Koornhof said that the Mercenary Bill was not the only legislation that would be dealt with in 2006. He suggested the adoption of the draft programme.

Mr Monareng seconded the motion.

The Chairperson said that the Committee Secretary should sort out the mess around cancelled meetings. She reminded Members that the Committee would pay a visit to hospital to see the Minister of Defence. She warned Members not to make statements to the press because the correct forum was a Committee meeting. She said that she would distance herself from such statements.

Mr Ntuli suggested a year-end party as it was a tradition of the Committee. The Chairperson said that she would not use the Committee’s funds but Members could each contribute R100 towards the year-end party. She then wished Members a good festive season.

The meeting was adjourned.