Electricity and Energy

National Assembly Committee

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Oversight responsibility of Electricity and Energy Portfolio Committee

The Electricity and Energy Portfolio Committee oversees the Department of Electricity and Energy, and its statutory entities:

National Nuclear Regulator 
National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute 
South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)

The Committee is mandated to: 

  • consider, amend and/or initiate legislation that is specific to, or impacts on Energy and electricity supply
  • consider and review the strategic plans and budgets of the Department and its entities.
  • monitor and oversee the activities, financial and non-financial performance of the Ministry of Correctional Services and its entities.
  • monitor and oversee the implementation of the Department’s policies and legislation
  • consider sector-related international treaties and agreements; and
  • provide a platform for the public to participate and present views on specific topics and/or legislation in relation to the energy sector.

The role and functions of Committees in 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. 

There is a portfolio committee for each corresponding government department. A committee deliberates on bills covering the department’s area of jurisdiction and scrutinises 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. 

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

NA Committee are comprised of 11 Members. The composition is as follows: ANC (5); DA (3); MK (2); EFF (1) & other parties (4). The four largest parties were given permanent positions, and the 14 other parties are grouped together to share the remaining slots.

Read more:  Committees in the Seventh Parliament: Critical Forums for Oversight


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

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 its 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 several joint committees. There are currently six Joint Committees:

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.

25 Apr 2025 Eskom 2025/26 Shareholder Compact and Annual Performance Plan
24 Apr 2025 SA Nuclear Energy Corporation 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan
23 Apr 2025 National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA) 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan
23 Apr 2025 Department of Electricity and Energy 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan
19 Mar 2025 Gas industry and gas exploitation in SA; Update on international study tour options; with Minister
14 Mar 2025 National Solar Water Heater Programme: update by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, with Deputy Minister
12 Mar 2025 South Africa’s G20 2025 Energy Transitions Working Group; Special Investigating Unit on investigations undertaken relating to Eskom, with Deputy Minister
05 Mar 2025 National Energy Regulator briefing on Eskom’s Sixth Multi-Year Price Determination Revenue Application for 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28
05 Mar 2025 Joint Meeting: Engagement with the Danish Parliamentary delegation on Climate, Energy and Utilities
20 Feb 2025 Briefings by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on the impact of the SONA on the activities of the Department and its entities; and on the legislative programme, with Minister and Deputy Minister
31 Jan 2025 Eskom 2023/24 Annual Report; with Minister and Deputy Minister in attendance
29 Jan 2025 Eskom 2023/24 Audit outcomes: AGSA briefing
04 Dec 2024 Update by Eskom on its performance to date in 2024; briefing by the National Transmission Company of SA on the Transmission Development Plan; with Deputy Minister
27 Nov 2024 Briefing on Key Revision Number rollover by Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and Eskom; Update on Integrated National Electrification Programme, with Minister
20 Nov 2024 Just Energy Transition Plan and implementation plan
13 Nov 2024 Update by DMRE on independent power producer issues; briefings by the Energy Council of SA, SA Wind Energy Association, SA Photovoltaic Industry Association and the SA Independent Power Producers Association
30 Oct 2024 Nuclear Energy Summit Report; Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant Oversight Report
31 Oct 2024 ATC241031: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on the Nuclear Energy Summit dated 30 October 2024
31 Oct 2024 ATC241031: Report of the Portfolio Committee on electricity and energy on the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant oversight visit, 30 October 2024
20 Mar 2019 ATC190320: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on its activities undertaken during the 5th Parliament (June 2014 – March 2019)
27 Nov 2018 ATC181127: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Draft Integrated Resource Plan 2018 (IRP2018) Public Hearings, dated 27 November 2018
27 Nov 2018 ATC181127: Report of PC on Energy
27 Nov 2018 ATC181127: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Draft Integrated Resource Plan 2018 (Irp2018) Public Hearings, dated 27 November 2018
09 May 2018 ATC180509: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Budget Vote No. 26 of the Department of Energy, dated 09 May 2018
09 May 2018 ATC180509: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Budget Vote No. 26 of the Department of Energy, dated 09 May 2018
09 May 2018 ATC180509: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Budget Vote No. 26 of the Department of Energy, dated 09 May 2018
17 Oct 2017 ATC171017: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy, dated 17 October 2017
16 May 2017 ATC170516: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Budget Vote No, 26 of the Department of Energy, Dated 16 May 2017
25 Oct 2016 ATC161025: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy, dated 25 October 2016
03 May 2016 ATC160503: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Budget Vote No. 26 of the Department of Energy, dated 03 May 2016
28 Oct 2015 ATC151028: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy, dated 21 October 2015
01 Sep 2015 ATC150901: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the five (5) inter-governmental nuclear agreements, dated 01 September 2015.
05 May 2015 ATC150505: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Budget Vote No. 26 of the Department of Energy, dated 05 May 2015
04 Nov 2014 ATC141104: Report of the  Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Treaty on the Grand Inga Hydropower Project between the Republic of South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, dated 04 November 2014
28 Oct 2014 ATC141028: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy, dated 28 October 2014
21 Oct 2014 ATC141023: The Budgetary Review And Recommendation Report (BRRR) of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, dated 21 October 2014
21 Oct 2014 ATC141023: The Budgetary Review And Recommendation Report (BRRR) of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs, dated 21 October 2014
21 Oct 2014 ATC141110: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs on Public Hearings on Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change and Rhino Killing in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North West Provinces, dated 21 October 2014
02 Sep 2014 ATC140903: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs on the DOHA Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, dated 2 September 2014
10 Jul 2014 ATC140711: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Strategic Plan 2014/15 – 2019/20, Annual Performance Plan and Budget Vote No. 29 of the Department of Energy, dated 10 July 2014
08 Jul 2014 ATC140711: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs on the Strategic Plan 2014/15—2018/19, Annual Performance Plans (Apps) 2014/15 and the Budget Vote 30 of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and its Entities, dated 8 July 2014
18 Mar 2014 ATC140318: Annexure C Key Statistics
18 Mar 2014 ATC140318: Annexure B List of stakeholders: All 9 Provincial Legislatures
18 Mar 2014 ATC140318: Annexure A E-mailing list
18 Mar 2014 ATC140318: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on its activities undertaken during the 4th Parliament (May 2009 – March 2014)
12 Mar 2014 ATC140313: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on its oversight visit to energy efficiency projects in the Cape Town area on 21st June 2012, dated 12 March 2014
20 Feb 2014 ATC140314: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Energy Stakeholder Meeting, scheduled on 20 February 2014, dated 12 March 2014
31 Jan 2014 ATC140313: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on its oversight visit to KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Gauteng on 27 – 31 January 2014, dated 12 March 2014
30 Jan 2014 ATC140313: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy roundtable discussion on co-generation and tri-generation of electricity on 30 January 2014, dated 12 March 2014
08 Nov 2013 ATC131108: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Independent System and Market Operator Bill (B9 - 2012) (National Assembly - Section 76 (1)), dated 08 November 2013:
22 Oct 2013 ATC131028: The Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy, dated 22 October 2013
22 Oct 2013 ATC131028: The Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy, dated 22 October 2013
19 Sep 2013 ATC140314: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Energy Stakeholder Meeting, scheduled on 19 September 2013, dated 12 March 2014
01 Aug 2013 ATC140313: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on its oversight visit to the Western Cape, scheduled on 31 July – 01 August 2013, dated 11 March 2014
24 Jul 2013 ATC140314: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the likely impact of Carbon Tax on energy supply in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on 24 July 2013, dated 12 March 2014
07 May 2013 ATC130510: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Strategic Plan 2012/13 – 2016/17, Annual Performance Plan and Budget Vote No. 29 of the Department of Energy, dated 07 May 2013
30 Apr 2013 ATC130503: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Independent System And Market Operator Bill [B9 – 2012] (National Assembly – Section 76(1)), dated 30 April 2013:
23 Oct 2012 ATC121029: Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Performance of the Department of Energy for the 2011/12 Financial Year, dated 23 October 2012.
06 Sep 2012 ATC140313: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy undertook to host public hearings on energy efficiency on 05 - 06 September 2012, dated 12 March 2014
30 Aug 2012 ATC140314: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Energy Stakeholder Meeting, scheduled on 30 August 2012, dated 12 March 2014
07 Jun 2012 ATC140314: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy on the Energy Stakeholder Meeting, scheduled on 07 June 2012, dated 18 February 2014
15 May 2012 ATC120515: Report on Strategic Plan of the 2012/13 – 2015/16 period & Budget Vote No. 29, 15 May 2012
08 Nov 2011 ATC111108: Report on Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy
11 Aug 2011 ATC110811: Report on Introductory Content-Based Workshop
05 Aug 2011 ATC111122: Report on Oversight visit to the Central Energy Fund (Pty) Ltd & its entities from 01 - 05 August 2011, reports as follows, 22 November 2011
24 May 2011 ATC110524: Report on Budget Vote 29 & Strategic Plan for 2011/12–2015/16 period of Department of Energy
26 Oct 2010 Report: Budgetary Review and Recommendation on the Performance of the Department of Energy for the 2009/10 Financial Year, dated 26 October 2010
13 Apr 2010 ATC100413: Report on Budget Vote 28: Energy
19 Mar 2010 ATC0319: Report on International Parliamentary Hearing for Southern African Legislators [Climate Change and Energy Access for the Poor]; Maputo, Mozambique
07 Mar 2025 NW534 by Mr K J Mileham - With reference to the mounting municipal debt...
07 Mar 2025 NW533 by Mr K J Mileham - 1. On what date will the Government release...
07 Mar 2025 NW454 by Ms N V Mente-Nkuna - National Assembly 454. Ms N V Mente-Nkuna...
07 Mar 2025 NW432 by Ms N H Mhlong - What (a) is the current status of...
07 Mar 2025 NW388 by Mr M K B Molefe - (1.) What are the causes of the delay in the...
07 Mar 2025 NW532 by Mr K J Mileham - (a) On what date will the (i) Integrated...
27 Feb 2025 NW365 by Mr K J Mileham - (1) What (a) are the full details of the (i)...
27 Feb 2025 NW364 by Mr K J Mileham - Whether Eskom has comprehensive lists of...
27 Feb 2025 NW323 by Ms N H Mhlongo - How will the proposed electricity pricing...
27 Feb 2025 NW283 by Mr M N Paulsen - (1) What steps have been implemented to...
27 Feb 2025 NW281 by Ms S Gcilishe - (1) What measures is the Government taking to...
20 Feb 2025 NW176 by Mr K J Mileham - With reference to Eskom’s implementation of...
20 Feb 2025 NW105 by Mr M N Paulsen - Whether his department has proactively put...
20 Feb 2025 NW82 by Ms N H Mhlongo - (1) What initiatives has his department...
20 Feb 2025 NW9 by Mr R A P Trollip - What is the complete breakdown of all official...
20 Feb 2025 NW207 by Mr E V Baptie - Given that Eskom applies load reduction in...
20 Feb 2025 RCW42 by Ms S M N Mokoena - (a) What specific actions have been taken to...
20 Feb 2025 NW206 by EMr E V Baptie - With reference to the municipality debt to...
08 Jan 2025 NW2274 by Mr L M Komane - What are the reasons that Eskom has repeatedly...
08 Jan 2025 NW836 by Ms O M C Maotwe - Considering that in his budget vote speech in...
08 Jan 2025 NW2209 by Ms L M Ngobeni - (1) In light of request No. 202 in terms of...
08 Jan 2025 NW2315 by Mr E V Baptie - What (a) was the cause of the incident that...
08 Jan 2025 NW2325 by Mr E V Baptie - (1) Noting that the cost of electricity has...
08 Jan 2025 NW2273 by Mr L M Komane - a) How does he justify the decision by Eskom...
08 Jan 2025 NW2275 by Mr L M Komane - What are the reasons that Eskom has repeatedly...
08 Jan 2025 NW2316 by Mr E V Baptie - Considering that the Umtamvuna Water Treatment...
08 Jan 2025 RCW683 by Ms N S Duplessis - (1) Whether Eskom has any list of vendors; if...
07 Jan 2025 NW2131 by Mr M N Paulsen - Whether his department, in collaboration with...
07 Jan 2025 RCW719 by Ms N.S Du Plessis - (1) What are the reasons for Eskom's failure...
07 Jan 2025 NW2132 by Mr M N Paulsen - In light of the fact that most of the...
19 Dec 2024 NW2393 by Ms N H Mhlongo - What monitoring and evaluation systems are in...
19 Dec 2024 NW2456 by Mr K J Mileham - (1) Noting his reply to question 671 for an...
18 Dec 2024 RCW312 by Ms N S Du Plessis - Whether, with reference to the fight for fair...
18 Dec 2024 NW1595 by Ms N H Mhlongo - What (a) potential funding mechanisms exist...
29 Nov 2024 NW1686 by Mr M N Paulsen - Whether, given that a conventional...
27 Nov 2024 NO668 by Mr S M Gana - What (a) number of interventions has he had to...
19 Nov 2024 NW1635 by Written ReplyMr A G Bateman - 1. Whether Eskom has partially or fully...
08 Nov 2024 NW1687 by Mr M N Paulsen - What are the details of how far the Republic...
08 Nov 2024 NW1607 by Ms M P Kobe - (1) Whether his department is currently...
08 Nov 2024 NW1688 by Mr M N Paulsen - Whether he still intends to continue with the...
22 Oct 2024 RNW1021 by N Paulsen - What does his department intend to do to allay...
11 Oct 2024 NW773 by Ms S G Khojane - Given the National Energy Regulator of South...
11 Oct 2024 NW818 by Mr M N Paulsen - Whether Eskom intends to develop its own...
11 Oct 2024 NW790 by Mr S L Ngcobo - Considering that the municipal debt to Eskom...
11 Oct 2024 NW800 by Mr S Zondi - Whether his department has taken any steps to...
01 Oct 2024 NW646 by MS O M C Maotwe - What are the relevant details of the bailouts...
01 Oct 2024 NW548 by Ms O M C Maotwe - in light of the fact that illegal instructions...
01 Oct 2024 NW876 by Mr N M Paulsen - With the harnessing of solar energy through...
01 Oct 2024 NW487 by Mr A T Themba - 1. Given that the recent electricity tariff...
01 Oct 2024 NW549 by Ms O M C Maotwe - What are the plans to electrify rural villages...

All questions to the Minister

Bill name Date introduced Number Status
Independent System and Market Operator Bill 08 Mar 2012 B9-2012 Withdrawn
2025 11 meetings Attendance rate 83%
2024 18 meetings 72%
Detailed attendance data by committee and MP Learn about our Attendance Methodology

Contact

Secretary of Committee:

Arico Kotze

Tel: 021 403 3662

Cell: 083 709 8470

Email: [email protected]

Chairperson’s Secretary

Letitia Titus

Cell: 083 436 0970

Email: [email protected]

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