Home Affairs
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
Oversight responsibility of Home Affairs Portfolio Committee
The Home Affairs Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Home Affairs as well as the following statutory entities:
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF COMMITTEES IN PARLIAMENT (provided by Parliament)
In accordance with the powers given to it by the Constitution, the National Assembly establishes a range of committees with assigned powers and functions. The committees are required to report regularly on their activities and to make recommendations to the House for debate and decision. A large part of the Assembly’s role in the law‑making process happens in committees and much of its oversight over the executive is also done through committees, particularly the portfolio committees.
There is a portfolio committee for each corresponding government department. The composition of the committees reflects, as far as is practicable, the numerical strengths of the parties represented in the Assembly. That committee will deliberate on bills covering that department’s area of jurisdiction and scrutinise and report on its annual budget and strategic plan. As the people’s representatives, members of the committees determine whether government departments are delivering on what they promised and whether they are spending the public money they receive in a responsible manner. As part of their oversight work, committees may also do site visits where they find out directly from the people at ground level whether the government is delivering on its promises.
If a committee reports on a matter and makes certain recommendations, that report will be debated in a full sitting or plenary to give other members of the House an opportunity to engage with the content of the report. Once the report has been debated, the House decides whether to adopt the committee’s recommendations. The House may also decide only to note the report or it may refer the report back to the committee with an instruction to do further work
Broadly speaking, the mandates of Committees are to consider and process legislation referred to it; exercise oversight over the Department and entities reporting to it; consider international agreements referred to it; consider the budget vote of the Department and its entities; facilitate public participation in its processes; and to consider all other matters referred to it in terms of legislation and the Rules of Parliament
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 167 of the National Assembly 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 working arrangements
- 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
Functions
A portfolio committee must:
- deal with Bills and other matters falling within its portfolio as are referred to in terms of the Constitution, legislation, National Assembly Rules, the Joint Rules or by resolution of the Assembly
- must maintain oversight of-
- the exercise within its portfolio of national executive authority, including the implementation of legislation,
- any executive organ of state falling within its portfolio
- any constitutional institution falling within its portfolio, and
- any other body or institution in respect of which oversight was assigned to it
- may monitor, investigate, enquire into and make recommendations concerning any such executive organ of state, constitutional institution or other body or institution, including the legislative programme, budget, rationalisation, restructuring, functioning, organisation, structure, staff and policies of such organ of state, institution or other body or institution
- may consult and liaise with any executive organ of state or constitution institution, and
- must perform any other functions, tasks or duties assigned to it in terms of the Constitution, legislation, these rules, the Joint Rules or resolutions of the Assembly, including functions, tasks and duties concerning parliamentary oversight or supervision of such executive organs of state, constitutional institutions or other bodies or institutions
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.
Select Committees
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) appoints from its permanent members 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.
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, the budget of the House, support for Members, internal arrangements, 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 has its own domestic Committees. The Rules Committee and its subcommittees deal with the NCOP rules, the NCOP budget, parliamentary privileges, internal arrangements, international relations and delegated legislation. 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, for example the Constitutional Review Committee.
The Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence are statutory Committees. This means that they are established, by the Constitution or by an Act of Parliament, as well as in terms of the rules of Parliament.
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.
NW1257 by Mrs S J Graham - (a) What are the reasons that his department has ... | |
NW1252 by Ms A T Khanyile - (1)What (a) is the current vacancy rate at his ... | |
NW1254 by Ms A T Khanyile - What was the average turnaround time of his ... | |
NW1256 by Mrs S J Graham - (a) Why has the gender of a certain person (name ... | |
NW1253 by Ms A T Khanyile - What is the (a) extent of the current backlog in ... | |
NW1587 by MS L L Van Der Merwe (IFP)) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs - What number of applications by foreign nationals ... | |
NW1196 by Mr A C Roos - In light of the Foreign Mission Observation ... | |
NW1628 by MS M O Clarke - What (a) are the reasons that no mobile units are ... | |
NW1505 by Mr N Singh - (1)Whether his department has offices in the ... | |
NW1305 by Mr D Bergman - (1) What number of asylum seekers who are ... | |
NW1292 by Mr A C Roos - (1)With regard to High Court review applications ... | |
NW1197 by Mr A C Roos - (1)With regard to litigation against his ... | |
NW1310 by Mrs G Opperman - Whether his department has put any measures in ... | |
NW1084 by A C ROOS - With regard to case number 77944/2016 in the ... | |
NW981 by Mr A C Roos - What are the details of the (a) progress of the ... | |
NW1168 by Mr L J Basson - Whether his department incurred any costs related ... | |
NW607 by Mr V Pambo - (a) What number of visa applications were denied ... | |
NW1017 by Mr. J J Mcgluwa - (a) On what date was the contract to accommodate ... | |
NW535 by Mr J J McGluwa - Whether his department has any monitoring systems ... | |
NW920 by Mrs C Phillips - Whether any raids/inspections have been carried ... | |
NW909 by Ms A T Khanyile - (1) What total number of (a) hospitals in the ... | |
NW1032 by Dr A Lotriet - (1) What is the total number of voting districts ... | |
NW1018 by J J Mcgluwa - (a) Which charter flights and/or airline(s) are ... | |
NW902 by Mr A C Roos - Whether he will engage with the executive mayors ... | |
NW801 by Mr A C Roos - With reference to the statement of the former ... | |
NW982 by Mr. A C Roos - In light of the roll-out of Smart Card Identity ... | |
NW797 by Mr L T Tito - (1)(a) What amount was spent on advertising by ... | |
NW803 by Ms T A Khanyile - Whether he will take any steps to re-allocate his ... | |
NW833 by Mr J J McGluwa - (1)Whether he has been informed of the various ... | |
NW832 by Mr J J McGluwa - Whether, with reference to providing protection ... | |
NW833 by Mr J J McGluwa - (1)Whether he has been informed of the various ... | |
NW462 by Mr A C Roos - What (a) is the total number of his department’s ... | |
NW234 by Mr M S F Freitas - With regard to tourist visas issued by his ... | |
NW380 by Mr A C Roos - What (a) number of asylum seekers have currently ... | |
NW349 by Ms L L van der Merwe - What were the main reasons cited in the ... | |
NW362 by Mr M Chetty - What (a) number of official international trips ... | |
NW277 by Mr I S Seitlholo - What (a) total amount is budgeted for his private ... | |
NW381 by Mr A C Roos - (a) What actions were taken by his department to ... | |
NW254 by Mr J J McGluwa - Whether he has been informed of any serious ... | |
NW317 by Mr J J Mcgluva - What plans does he have in place to address the ... | |
NW379 by Mr A C Roos - What (a) is the planned date for the reopening of ... | |
NW414 by Mr J J Mcgluwa - (1) What is the current outstanding number of ... | |
NW233 by Mr M S F de Freitas - (1)How are the cruise ships that are docking on ... | |
NW253 by Mr J J Mcgluva - Whether there is any (a) office or (b) mobile ... | |
NW97 by Ms L L van der Merve ( - (a) What number of cases with regard to ... | |
NW172 by MrJ J Mcgluva - (1) Whether, with reference to the fines that are ... | |
NW138 by Ms L L van der Merwe - In light of his statement that he intends to ... | |
NW122 by Mr J J Mcgluwa - Whether any persons whose asylum application was ... | |
NW139 by Ms L L van der Merwe - What steps does he intend to take to deal with ... | |
NW121 by Mr J J McGluwa - (1) What are the basic requirements for asylum ... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Electoral Laws Amendment Bill | 12 Oct 2018 | B33-2018 | Act commenced |
Electoral Amendment Bill - Mr M Waters (DA) | 12 Jul 2018 | B24-2018 | Rejected |
Immigration Amendment Draft Bill | 05 Jun 2018 | X-2018 | |
Civil Union Amendment Bill - Ms D Carter (COPE) | 15 May 2018 | B11-2018 | Under consideration by the National Council of Provinces. |
Refugees Amendment Bill | 16 Sep 2016 | B12-2016 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Border Management Authority Bill | 24 May 2016 | B9-2016 | Under consideration by the National Assembly. |
Immigration Amendment Bill | 17 Mar 2016 | B5-2016 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Immigration Amendment Bill | 11 Dec 2015 | X-2015 | |
Local Government: Municipal Electoral Amendment Bill | 02 Sep 2015 | B22-2015 | Act commenced |
Refugees Amendment Bill | 04 Aug 2015 | B19-2015 | Act commenced |
Refugees Amendment Draft Bill | 19 Jun 2015 | X-2015 | |
Electoral Amendment Bill | 24 Jul 2013 | B22-2013 | Act commenced |
Immigration Amendment Bill | 01 Oct 2010 | B32-2010 | Act commenced |
Refugees Amendment Bill | 13 Sep 2010 | B30-2010 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Local Government: Municipal Electoral Amendment Bill | 20 Aug 2010 | B27-2010 | Act commenced |
2010 South African Citizenship Amendment Bill | 15 Jul 2010 | B17-2010 | Act commenced |
Births And Deaths Registration Amendment Bill | 15 Jul 2010 | B18-2010 | Act commenced |
Civil Union Bill | 12 Sep 2009 | B26-2006 | Act commenced |
Refugees Amendment Bill | 13 Mar 2008 | B11-2008 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Immigration Amendment Bill | 13 Sep 2006 | B28-2006 | Act commenced |
Films and Publications Amendment Bill | 14 Jun 2006 | B27-2006 | Act commenced |
Electoral Amendment Bill - Mr J Selfe (DA) | PMB2-2013 | Withdrawn |
Attendance
Ranked 16 out of 30 for NAMembership
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Chabane, Mr MSANC
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Dyantyi, Mr QRANC
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Hendricks, Mr MGEAl Jama-ah
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Legwase, Ms TIANC
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Maake, Mr JJANC
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Moela, Mr DLANC
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Molekwa, Mr MAANC
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Pambo, Mr VEFF
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Roos, Mr ACDA
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Tito, Ms LFEFF
Contact
Secretary of Committee:
Eddie Mathonsi
Tel: 021 403 3826
Cell: 083 709 8523 / 084 630 1992
Email: emathonsi@parliament.gov.za
Secretary To Chairperson:
Babalwa Nkangana
Tel: 021 403 3125
Email: bnkangana@parliament.gov.za