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)
Committees conduct their business on behalf of the House and report back on matters referred to them.
Learn more about the work of this Committee: Legacy Reports
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
Committee Membership
Committee membership is distributed among the parties roughly in proportion to the seats they get in Parliament, so if a party wins 20% of the seats, its MPs will occupy about 20% of committee positions.
The NA Rules Committee agreed that all Committees will be comprised of 11 Members: ANC – 6; DA – 2; EFF – 1; other parties – 2.
Where it is practicably possible, each party is entitled to at least one representative in a Committee.
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 59(1)(b) of the Constitution requires that the National Assembly and it’s committees conduct their business in an open manner and hold their sittings in public. Section 59(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’. Rule 184(2) of the Rules of the National Assembly further require that any decision to exclude the public from a committee meeting or part thereof must be taken ‘after due consideration’ by that committee
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.
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. 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.
NW2587 by Ms L L van der Merwe - (1)Whether he has found that certain persons... | |
NW2928 by Ms L L van der Merwe - Following renewed attacks on truck drivers,... | |
NW2946 by Mr A C Roos - With reference to the Home Affairs office in... | |
NW2488 by Mr A C Roos - What (a) is the total backlog of (i) asylum... | |
NW2927 by Ms L L van der Merwe - (1)Following his comments that his department... | |
NW2897 by Mrs L F Tito - What number of offices of his department in... | |
NW2680 by Ms T A Khanyile - What are the details of the steps his... | |
NW2831 by Ms R N Komane - What has he found to be causing delays with... | |
NW2768 by Ms L L van der Merwe - (1)What total number of staff members do the... | |
NW2739 by Mr A C Roos - (1)What (a) number of offices of his... | |
NW2677 by Ms L L van der Merwe - What (a) total number of temporary asylum... | |
NW2947 by Mr A C Roos - With reference to his statement on 10 July... | |
NW2846 by Mr M K Montwedi - (a) By what date is it envisaged that his... | |
NW2810 by Mr A C Roos - With reference to his reply to question 1070... | |
NW2774 by Mr V Zungula - With regard to the Islamic State of Iraq and... | |
NW2763 by Mrs L F Tito - (a) What is the total number of cases of... | |
NW2847 by Mr M K Montwedi - What are the reasons that his department... | |
NW2811 by Mr A C Roos - (1)What are the (a) reasons and (b) statutory... | |
NW2399 by Ms L L van der Merwe - In light of the fact that the Public Servants... | |
NW2422 by Mr F J Mulder - (1)Whether he will indicate what the position,... | |
NW2400 by Mrs M B Hicklin - With regard to the Level 1 lockdown... | |
NW2337 by Mr A C Roos - With reference to each of his department’s... | |
NW2168 by Dr P J Groenewald - (1)Whether, in accordance with lockdown... | |
NW1872 by Mr A C Roos - What total number of identity documents has... | |
NW2191 by Mrs A Steyn - (1)What total number of (a) persons must work... | |
NW1838 by Mrs L F Tito - What (a) total number of Home Affairs offices... | |
NW1915 by Mr J J McGluwa - Whether, with reference to his reply to... | |
NW2260 by Ms L L van der Merwe - What total amount has his department spent on... | |
NW1874 by Mr J J McGluwa - (a) What are the relevant details of the type... | |
NW1873 by Mr J J McGluwa - With reference to the proposal to extend his... | |
NW2054 by Ms T Breedt - Whether, with reference to the confirmation... | |
NW2101 by Mrs C Phillips - What total number of work visas has been... | |
NW1868 by Ms M Modise - In light of the fact that his department... | |
NW1803 by Mrs T P Msane - (a) What number of refugees and permit holders... | |
NW1916 by Mr J J McGluwa - Whether, with reference to his reply to... | |
NW1744 by Mr M G E Hendricks - Whether he will consider an instruction that... | |
NW1481 by Mr A C Roos - What number of operations was his department... | |
NW1479 by Mrs L F Tito - What (a) number of court orders have been... | |
NW1464 by Mr N Singh - With reference to his reply to question 1505... | |
NW1192 by Mr A C Roos - Whether his department has investigated the... | |
NW1246 by Mr J J McGluwa - (1) What are the reasons for the overspending... | |
NW1661 by Mrs L F Tito - What total number of identity documents have... | |
NW1635 by Ms L L van der Merwe - (a) What are the reasons that his department... | |
NW1575 by Mr A C Roos - What (a) are the reasons that his department’s... | |
NW1519 by Mr J J McGluwa - Whether any progress made has been made... | |
NW1490 by Ms T A Khanyile - (1)By what date does he envisage that his... | |
NW1483 by Mr A C Roos - With regard to the implementation of the... | |
NW1482 by Mr A C Roos - With regard to the roll-out of mobile units to... | |
NW1070 by MR A C ROOS - For each of the cases (details furnished)... | |
NW1517 by Mr JJ McGluva - What has his findings been of the work... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Electoral Laws Amendment Bill | 23 Sep 2020 | B22-2020 | Under consideration by the National Council of Provinces. |
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 | Act commenced |
Refugees Amendment Bill | 16 Sep 2016 | B12-2016 | Act commenced |
Border Management Authority Bill | 24 May 2016 | B9-2016 | Act commenced |
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 | Act commenced |
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 | Act commenced |
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 10 out of 60 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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Modise, Ms MANC
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Moela, Mr DLANC
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Molekwa, Ms 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
Email: emathonsi@parliament.gov.za
Secretary To Chairperson:
Babalwa Nkangana
Tel: 021 403 3125
Email: bnkangana@parliament.gov.za