NCOP Public Enterprises and Communication

National Council of Provinces Committee

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Oversight responsibility of the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication 

The Select Committee has oversight over the following Departments:

Department of Public Enterprises

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies 

THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF SELECT COMMITTEES
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) appoints a number of Select Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments and to deal with Bills.

Because only 54 of the 90 NCOP Members are permanent delegates compared to the 400 of the NA, the Select Committees oversee the work of more than one national government department. Portfolio committees mirror portfolios in government whilst select committees mirror the clusters in government.

Select committees, and their subcommittees, meet whenever necessary and as determined in accordance with the Rules of the NCOP and the decisions and directives of the House Chairperson of Committees.

The select committees must report to the Council on matters referred to the committee on all decisions taken by it expect those concerning internal business.

Learn more about the work of this Committee: Legacy Reports


Working in Committees allows Parliament to:

-Increase the amount of work that can be done

-Ensure that issues can be debated in more detail than in plenary sessions

-Increase the level of participation of Members of Parliament (MPs) in discussions

-Enable MPs to develop expertise and in-depth knowledge of the specific Committee's area of work

-Provide a platform for the public to present views directly to MPs, something which is not possible in a plenary sitting of Parliament

-Provide an environment for Parliament to hear evidence and collect information related to the work of a specific Committee

Powers

Rule 103 of the NCOP Rules (9th Edition) say that for the purposes of performing its functions  committee may, subject to the Constitution, legislation, the other provisions of these rules and resolutions of the Assembly –

-Summon any person to appear before it to give evidence on oath or affirmation, or to produce documents

-Receive petitions, representations or submissions from interested persons or institutions

-Permit oral evidence on petitions, representations, submissions and any other matter before the committee

-Conduct public hearings

-Consult any Assembly or Council committee or subcommittee, or any joint committee or subcommittee

-Determine its own procedure

-Meet at a venue determined by it, which may be a venue beyond the seat of Parliament

-Meet on any and at any time, including –

  • On a day which is not a working day
  • On a day on which the Assembly is not sitting
  • At a time when the Assembly is not sitting, or
  • During a recess

-Exercise any other powers assigned to it by the Constitution, legislation, the other provisions of these rules or resolutions of the Assembly

Committee Membership

 Provinces are entitled to be equally represented in committees except where these Rules provide otherwise or in the case of matters to which section 75 of the Constitution applies. When committee members are appointed, the need for women to be fairly represented on committees must be taken into account.  If women are not fairly represented on Council committees, the Chairperson and the delegation heads must consider methods of achieving fair representation.

Read More: A note to the Sixth Parliament: Committee Membership

Read More: A Note to the Sixth Parliament: The critical role of Committee Chairperson

 

Committees in Practice

With the agreement of members, the Committee staff sets the dates and times of committee meetings. The frequency of committee meetings is determined by a committee’s work programme but it is normal for a committee to meet weekly. From time to time, committees can meet more than once a week if they work programme so demands.

Section 72(1)(b) of the Constitution requires that the National Council of Provinces and it’s committees conduct their business in an open manner. Section 79(2) states that the National Assembly may not exclude the public or the media unless it is ‘reasonable and justifiable to do so in an open and democratic society’. NCOP Rule 110 further states that:

Meetings of committees and subcommittees are open to the public, including the media, and the member presiding may not exclude the public, including the media, from the meeting, except when –

(a)        legislation, these Rules or resolutions  of the Council provide for the committee or subcommittee to meet in closed session;  or

(b)        the committee or subcommittee is considering a matter which is –

(i)         of a private nature that is prejudicial to a particular person;

(ii)         protected under parliamentary privilege,  or for any other reason privileged in terms of the law;

(iii)        confidential in terms of legislation; or

(iv)        of such a nature that its confidential treatment is for any other reason reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society.

Who attends Committee Meetings?:

MPs (those assigned to the committee and if they so wish, any other MP)

Committee Staff: Committee Secretary, Committee Assistant, Researcher, Content Advisor

Departments, entities, organizations, individuals and experts who are invited by the Committee to speak and be questioned

Parliamentary Legal Advisor (from time to time)

Media

General Public

 

THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT

Portfolio Committees
The National Assembly (NA) appoints from among its members a number of Portfolio Committees to shadow the work of the various national government departments.

Public Accounts Committees
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Public Accounts acts as Parliament's watchdog over the way taxpayers' money is spent by the Executive. Every year the Auditor-General tables reports on the accounts and financial management of the various government departments and State institutions.

Heads of government departments and institutions are regularly called by this committee to report and account for expenditure. The Committee can recommend that the National Assembly takes corrective actions if necessary.

Internal Committees
The National Assembly has a number of internal committees that deal with matters affecting the running of Parliament. The Committees normally consist of senior Members of Parliament. The Rules Committee and its sub-committees deal with House rules. There are structures to deal with support for Members, internal arrangements, disciplinary matters and powers and privileges of members. Other internal Committees are the Programme Committee that plans the work of the Assembly, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Committee of Chairpersons.

The National Council of Provinces also has its own domestic Committees. The Rules Committee and its subcommittees deal with the NCOP rules. There are structures to deal with support for Members, internal arrangements, disciplinary matters and powers and privileges of members. The Programme Committee plans the work of the NCOP and the Committee of Chairpersons make recommendations about the functioning of Committees and other NCOP forums.

Ad hoc Committees
Parliament or one of its Houses may appoint an ad hoc (temporary) Committee when a special task must be done. When the task is complete, the Committee is dissolved.

Joint Committees
The National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces together appoint a number of joint committees.


There are six Joint Committees:
- Constitutional Review Committee
- Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence
- Joint Standing Committee on Defence
- Committee on Multi-Party Women’s Caucus
- Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament
- Joint Standing Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests


The committees play a very important role in the process of building democracy and involving the public in the processes and activities of Parliament.

 

No results.

13 Mar 2024 NEMISA achievements and challenges; with Deputy Minister
06 Mar 2024 Measures taken to deal with harmful online content pertaining to children, women and other vulnerable groups
28 Feb 2024 Briefing by Safcol on CSI projects to develop surrounding communities; with Minister
21 Feb 2024 SA Post Office SOC Ltd A/B: DCDT briefing, with Deputy Minister
07 Dec 2023 Implementation of the Zondo Commission Recommendations: DPE briefing (with Minister)
29 Nov 2023 Alexkor update on the community’s leadership stability and the profitability of the entity’s business activities; with Deputy Minister
24 Nov 2023 SA Connect project connecting district municipalities and government institutions (schools, hospitals, clinics, police stations); Deputy Minister present
15 Nov 2023 ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA) 2022/23 Annual Report; with Minister
27 Sep 2023 How spectrum availability will reduce cost to communicate; with ICASA & Deputy Minister
07 Jun 2023 ATC230607: Report of the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication on the Postbank Amendment Limited Bill [B12-2022] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 07 June 2023
25 May 2022 ATC220525: Report of the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication on the final Acts of the ITU World Radio Conference 2019, Dated 25 May 2022
26 May 2021 ATC210526: Report of the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication on Budget Vote 30: Communications and Digital Technologies, and the Annual Performance Plan and Strategic Plan for 2021/22 of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, dated 26 May 2021
19 May 2021 ATC210519: Report of the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication on Budget Vote 10: Public Enterprises and the Annual Performance Plan and Strategic Plan for 2021/22 of the Department of Public Enterprises, dated 19 May 2021
29 Jul 2020 ATC200729: Report of the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication on its Deliberations on the Implications of the Supplementary Budget on Budget Vote 4: Government Communication and Information System, Dated 29 July 2020
29 Jul 2020 ATC200729: Report of the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication on Its Deliberations on the Implications of the Supplementary Budget Vote 30: Communications and Digital Technologies, Dated 29 July 2020
17 Jul 2020 ATC200717: Report of the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication on the Adjusted Allocation of Budget Vote 10: Public Enterprises, Dated 15 July 2020
08 Nov 2019 ATC191108: Report of the Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication on the oversight visit to the South African Post Office (SAPO), Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and Broadband Infrastructure Company (BBI), dated 6 November 2019:
20 Mar 2019 ATC190320: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Repeal of the Overvaal Resorts Limited Bill [B 36-2017] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 20 March 2019
20 Mar 2019 ATC190320: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the iKamva Digital Skills Institute Bill [B 10B – 2018] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 20 March 2019
20 Mar 2019 ATC190320: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on its activities undertaken during the 5th Parliament (May 2014 – March 2019)
20 Nov 2018 ATC181120: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Films and Publications Amendment Bill [B 37B – 2015] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 20 November 2018
20 Nov 2018 ATC181120: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Bill [B 6B-2016] (National Assembly – sec 76), dated 20 November 2018
20 Nov 2018 ATC181120: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the National Research Foundation Amendment Bill [B 23B – 2017] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 20 November 2018
22 Aug 2018 ATC180822: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Bill [B 6B-2016], dated 22 August 2018
16 May 2018 ATC180516: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Strategic Plan 2014-15 – 2018-19 and Annual Performance Plan 2018/2019 of the Department of Public Enterprises, dated 16 May 2018
14 Jun 2017 ATC170614: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Annual Performance Plan for 2017/18 of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), dated 14 June 2017
07 Jun 2017 ATC170607: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Strategic (Corporate) Plan and Annual Performance Plan for 2017/18 – 2019/20 of the South African Post Office, dated 7 June 2017
31 May 2017 ATC170531: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Annual Performance Plan for 2017/18 of the Department of Science and Technology, dated 31 May 2017
24 May 2017 ATC170524: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Strategic Plan for 2014/2015 – 2018/2019 and Annual Performance Plan for 2017/2018 of the Department of Public Enterprises, dated 24 May 2017
08 Feb 2017 ATC170208: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Final Acts of the Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunications Union – Guadalajara 2010, dated 8 February 2017
08 Feb 2017 ATC170208: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the ratification of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Convention of 1999, dated 8 February 2017
12 Oct 2016 ATC161012: eport of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on Eskom’s tariff increase for 2016-17 and amended pricing structure for municipalities with effect from 1 July 2016, dated 12 October 2016
25 Nov 2015 ATC151125: Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises on the Amendment to Article XII(c)(ii) to the Agreement of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (ITSO), aimed at Protecting the Provision of Satellite Communication Services to Developing Countries, dated 25 November 2015
24 Feb 2015 Report of the Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises (the Committee) on an Oversight Visit to the entities under the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), dated 18 February 2015
12 Feb 2014 ATC140212: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Amendment Bill [B 18B-2013] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 12 February 2014:
05 Feb 2014 ATC140205: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B 17B–2013] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 5 February 2014:
20 Nov 2013 ATC131120: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the Employment Services Bill [B 38B – 2012] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 20 November 2013:
20 Nov 2013 ATC131120: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the South African Post Office SOC Limited Amendment Bill [B 24B – 2013] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 20 November 2013:
23 Oct 2013 ATC131023: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Bill, dated 23 October 2013:
23 Oct 2013 ATC131023: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the Labour Relations Amendment Bill, dated 23 October 2013:
15 May 2013 ATC130530: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on its Strategic Planning Workshop, dated 15 May 2013
20 Feb 2013 ATC130221: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the Work in the Fishing Sector Convention, 2007 (No. 188), dated 20 February 2013
20 Feb 2013 ATC130221: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the International Labour Organisation Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work (No. 200), dated 20 February 2013
20 Feb 2013 ATC130221: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the Labour Inspection Convention, 1974 (No. 81), dated 20 February 2013
20 Feb 2013 ATC130221: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, dated 20 February 2013
20 Feb 2013 ATC130221: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) and Recommendation 2011 (No. 201), dated 20 February 2013
27 Nov 2012 ATC121129: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on an Oversight Visit to the Sheltered Employment Factories in Pietermaritzburg and Jacobs, in KwaZulu-Natal, dated 27 November 2012.
27 Nov 2012 ATC121128: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on the oversight visit to Transnet and Medupi Coal-Fired Power Station, dated 27 November 2012
27 Nov 2012 ATC121130: Report of the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on an Unannounced Oversight Visit to the Sheltered Employment Factory at Ndabeni in the Western Province, dated 27 November 2012.
08 Aug 2012 ATC120808: Financial Statements of the South African Forestry Company Limited (Safcol) for 2010-11, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements for 2010-11, dated 8 August 2012
08 Aug 2012 ATC120808: Report and Financial Statements of the Department of Labour – Vote 17 for 2010-11, dated 8 August 2012
08 Aug 2012 ATC120808: Report and Financial Statements of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) for 2010-11, dated 8 August 2012
06 Jun 2012 ATC120606: Report on Financial Statements of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) for 2010-11, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2010-11, dated 6 June 2012
16 May 2012 Report: Report & Financial Statements of Transnet Ltd & the Group for 2010-11, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements & Performance Information for 2010-11, dated 16 May 2012
21 Sep 2011 ATC110921: Report on South African Post Office SOC Ltd Bill [B 2B-2010]
03 Aug 2011 ATC110803: Report on Oversight visit to Mitchells Plain Labour Centre
13 Apr 2011 ATC110413: Report on Oversight Visit to Koeberg Nuclear Power Station on 26 January 2011
23 Feb 2011 ATC110223: Report Final Acts of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference, Antalya, 2006, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996, dated 23 February 2011
16 Oct 2008 ATC081016: Report on Broadcasting Amendment Bill
26 Aug 2008 ATC080826: Report on Skills Development Amendment Bill

There are no questions at this time.

Bill name Date introduced Number Status
South African Post Office SOC LTD Amendment Bill 11 May 2023 B11-2023 Under consideration by the National Council of Provinces.
South African Postbank Limited Amendment Bill 17 May 2022 B12-2022 Act commenced
iKamva Digital Skills Institute Bill 07 May 2018 B10-2018 Withdrawn
Repeal of the Overvaal Resorts Limited Bill 08 Dec 2017 B36-2017 The bill has been signed into law.
National Research Foundation Amendment Bill 06 Oct 2017 B23-2017 Act commenced
Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Bill 12 Apr 2016 B6-2016 The bill has been signed into law.
Films and Publications Amendment Bill 23 Nov 2015 B37-2015 Act commenced
South African Postbank Limited Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2013 B25-2013 Act commenced
South African Post Office SOC LTD Amendment Bill 31 Jul 2013 B24-2013 Act commenced
Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 11 Jul 2013 B17-2013 Act commenced
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Amendment Bill 11 Jul 2013 B18-2013 Act commenced
Employment Services Bill 06 Nov 2012 B38-2012 Act commenced
Employment Equity Amendment Bill 19 Oct 2012 B31-2012 Act commenced
Labour Relations Amendment Bill 23 May 2012 B16-2012 Act commenced
Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Bill 17 May 2012 B15-2012 Act commenced
South African Post Office Bill 09 Feb 2010 B2-2010 Act commenced
South African Postbank Bill 06 Nov 2009 B14-2009 Act commenced
Broadcasting Amendment Bill 15 Aug 2008 B72-2008 Act commenced
Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 01 Oct 2007 B38-2007 Act commenced
Broadband Infraco Bill 06 Jul 2007 B26-2007 Act commenced
South African Express Bill 30 May 2007 B14-2007 Act commenced
South African Airways Bill 13 Nov 2006 B35-2006 Act commenced
Transnet Pension Fund Amendment Bill 12 Oct 2006 B30-2006 Act commenced
Postal Services Amendment Bill 07 Sep 2006 B22-2006 Act commenced
2024 4 meetings Attendance rate 55%
2023 17 meetings 53%
2022 14 meetings 59%
2021 13 meetings 60%
2020 14 meetings 54%
2019 11 meetings 65%
Detailed attendance data by committee and MP Learn about our Attendance Methodology

Contact

Secretary to Committee

Amanda Zindlani

Tel: 021 403 3660

Cell: 060 550 9754

E-mail: [email protected]

Secretary to Chairperson

Beverly Walters

Tel: 021 403 8661

Cell: 083 709 8476

E-mail: [email protected]

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