Water and Sanitation
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
Oversight responsibility of Water and Sanitation Portfolio Committee
The Water and Sanitation Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) as well as the following statutory entities:
Consolidated water boards
Trans‐Caledon Tunnel Authority
Water Trading Entity
Breede‐Gouritz Catchment Management Agency
Inkomati‐Usuthu Catchment Management Agency
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.
NW2556 by Mr N G Myburgh - (1)Given the fact that the residents of three... | |
NW2572 by Mr M A Tseki - In light of the fact that the President of the... | |
NW2571 by Ms N N Sihlwayi - In light of the fact that for the past two... | |
NW2540 by Ms S A Buthelezi - What (a) factors has his department found to... | |
NW2563 by Mrs W R Alexander - Whether his department has taken any action to... | |
NW2551 by Mr L J Basson - Considering that metropolitan municipalities... | |
NW2432 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What (a) measures has his department together... | |
NW2481 by Mr J F Smalle - (1) What steps has his department taken to... | |
NW2488 by Ms P Marais - Whether he has been informed that the tap... | |
NW2401 by Mr K Ceza - What (a) is the breakdown of the costs of... | |
NW2257 by Mrs K N F Hlonyana - Whether there are any plans to supply the 100... | |
NW2327 by Ms S A Buthelezi - Considering that his department recently... | |
NW2265 by Mrs M R Mohlala - In light of the recent alarming reports of... | |
NW2264 by Mrs M R Mohlala - Which (a) initiatives has he taken to... | |
NW1975 by Mrs T P Msane - What long-term measures have been put in place... | |
NW2101 by Mrs M R Mohlala - Whether he is responsible for water provision... | |
NW2247 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What specific measures has he recently... | |
NW2412 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What (a) progress has been made in the... | |
NW2141 by Ms S A Buthelezi - Considering that there have been suspicions... | |
NW1963 by Mr B N Herron - (1)Whether, considering that in 2022 the... | |
NW1714 by Mrs W R Alexander - Whether he will furnish Mrs W R Alexander with... | |
NW1714 by Mrs W R Alexander - Whether he will furnish Mrs W R Alexander with... | |
NW1990 by Mr Y Tetyana - What total number of board meetings have the... | |
NW1991 by Mr Y Tetyana - What steps of intervention have been taken to... | |
NW2254 by Mr V Pambo - Whether there are any reasons that the... | |
NW2431 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What specific measures and actions has he,... | |
NW2433 by Mr N G Myburgh - (1) What (a) total number of new dams are... | |
NW1929 by Mr B S Madlingozi - What are the relevant details of the progress... | |
NW2164 by Mr B N Herron - (1) In light of the recent statement by the... | |
NW2354 by Mr N G Myburgh - What (a) number of new dams have been built by... | |
NW2100 by Mrs M R Mohlala - Whether his department has any responsibility,... | |
NW2231 by Ms P Marais - Whether he has been informed that only one of... | |
NW1973 by Mr S Tambo - Whether his department has any role to play in... | |
NW1957 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What steps has he taken to address the water... | |
NW2027 by Mrs C Phillips - Whether, in light of the increasing demand for... | |
NW1618 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What actions has he taken in response to the... | |
NW2230 by Ms P Marais - What are the details of the steps of... | |
NW2025 by Mrs C Phillips - Whether he has been informed of the extended... | |
NW1928 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What interventions has he taken to address the... | |
NW1904 by Mr K Ceza - What measures has his department taken to... | |
NW1808 by Mrs M R Mohlala - Whether he is still considering the... | |
NW1869 by Mr B N Herron - (1)What (a) does the expanded mandate of the... | |
NW2026 by Mrs C Phillips - Whether, in light of the announcement of the... | |
NW1999 by Mrs M R Mohlala - Whether he has been informed that the uGu... | |
NW1958 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What immediate action has he taken to address... | |
NW1852 by Mr D W Bryant - (1) What (a) is the relevant financial... | |
NW1809 by Mrs M R Mohlala - (a) How is his department addressing instances... | |
NW1490 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What is the current update regarding the... | |
NW1748 by Mr K Ceza - Which interventions has he and/or his... | |
NW1620 by Mrs M R Mohlala - What steps of intervention has he taken to... |
Attendance
Ranked 37 out of 158 for NAMembership
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Buthelezi, Ms SAIFP
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Hendricks, Mr MGEAl Jama-ah
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Matuba, Ms M MANC
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Mohlala, Ms MREFF
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Sihlwayi, Ms NNANC
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Tseke, Ms GKANC
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Tseki, Mr MAANC
Contact
Secretaries of Committee:
Nosipho Bavuma
Cell: 060 550 9892
Email: [email protected]
Secretary To Chairperson:
Khayalethu Vellem
Email: [email protected]