Question NW4151 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
14 December 2023 - NW4151
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(a) On what date will her department table the promised Bill to operationalise the SA Development Partnership Agency (SADPA) which has taken almost 15 years, and has contributed to underspending by her department and (b) what is the projected timeline for operationalising the SADPA?
Reply:
a) The Department is currently ensuring compliance with the below processes required for the introduction of the draft Bill into Parliament:
- Submission of the draft Bill to the Speaker and the Chairperson of the council in terms of Joint Rule 159 and thereafter the Bill is referred to committees;
- Gazetting the notice of intention to introduce in terms of National Assembly Rule 276/ NCOP Rule 186;
- Certification of the draft Bill by OCSLA and submission to Parliament’s Bills Office for processing in terms of National Assembly Rule 279(2).
The Department has been in contact with the Bill’s Office in Parliament and currently working on the submission of the draft Bill as per the Joint Rule 159.
The supply chain processes are also underway for the gazetting of the intention to introduce the draft Bill in terms of National Assembly Rule 276/NCOP Rule 186.
The Office of the Chief State Law Advisor (OCSLA) has also been engaged on facilitating the process of obtaining the certification of the draft Bill through the Department of Justice as required by the National Assembly Rule 279(2).
b) Following the proclamation of the Amended Act into law by the President, the Department will implement the necessary processes for the establishment of the fully-fledged entity.