Public Works and Infrastructure
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
Oversight responsibility of Public Works and Infrastructure Portfolio Committee
The Public Works and Infrastructure Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) as well as the following statutory entities:
Agrement South Africa
Council for the Built Environment (CBE)
Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)
Engineering Council of South Africa
Independent Development Trust (IDT)
South African Council for the Architectural Profession
South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession
South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions
South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession
South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession
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.
Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Policy | |
Draft National Infrastructure Plans 2050 | |
Expropriation Bill | |
Department of Public Works and Infrastructure - Language Policy | |
Expropriation Draft Bill, 2019 | |
Expropriation Bill [B4-2015] | |
Construction Industry Development Regulations: Draft | |
Agrément South Africa Bill [B3-2015] | |
Expropriation Bill [B4-2015] | |
Draft Build Environment (BEP) Policy | |
Draft Agrément South Africa, 2013 |
NW94 by M B Hicklin - (1)In light of the fact that, on 15 December... | |
NW95 by M B Hicklin - Given that for two or more years, the entrance... | |
NW4140 by Ms A M Siwisa - With reference to his reply to question 3313... | |
NW3571 by Mr M K Montwedi - (1)What is the total number of properties that... | |
NW3154 by Ms S A Buthelezi - Whether any of the funds that were allocated... | |
NW3948 by Ms K L Khakhau - Whether (a) he, (b) the Deputy Minister and... | |
NW1564 by M B Hicklin - Whether, with reference to the reply to... | |
NW3216 by Mr I S Seitlholo - What are the full details of the (a) current... | |
NW3215 by Mr I S Seitlholo - With reference to the ongoing renovations and... | |
NW3186 by Mr M S F de Freitas - What (a) plans has his department put in place... | |
NW4141 by Ms A M Siwisa - With reference to his reply to question 3313... | |
NW3490 by Mr A N Sarupen - (1)Whether his department is aware of the... | |
NW3300 by Mr BN Herron - With reference to his recent announcement of... | |
NW3174 by Mr N Singh - (1)What are the full details of the recent and... | |
NW4196 by Mr I S Seitlholo - What (a) total number of public infrastructure... | |
NW3881 by Ms A M Siwisa - Following the submission by the Commission for... | |
NW4146 by Mr S S Zondo - What was the (a) projected and (b) actual... | |
NW4175 by Mr S S Zondo - What is the total number of persons employed... | |
NW3962 by Mr S S Zondo - (1)Whether there is a project in the pipeline... | |
NW3960 by Ms M D Hlengwa - (1)What (a)(i) assessments and (ii) studies... | |
NW3962 by Mr S S Zondo - (1)Whether there is a project in the pipeline... | |
NW3961 by Ms M D Hlengwa - (1)Whether his department is collaborating... | |
NW3214 by Mr I S Seitlholo - With reference to the possible amendments to... | |
NW3515 by Mr S S Zondo - Whether his department has any (a) short-term... | |
NW1063 by Ms S J Graham - What progress has been made on the sale of the... | |
NW2867 by L F Tito - What (a) is the total number of abandoned... | |
NW3160 by Mr S S Zondo - Whether he has been informed of the total... | |
NW3161 by Mr S S Zondo - What total amount in revenue has his... | |
NW3221 by Mr J F Smalle - (1)Whether, a certain company (name furnished)... | |
NW3293 by Ms L N Mjobo - Whether the Expanded Public Works Programme... | |
NW3310 by Mr I S Seitlholo - With reference to his department’s resolve to... | |
NW3313 by Ms A M Siwisa - With reference to his department’s plans to... | |
NW3388 by Mr S S Zondo - Whether he has found that his department is on... | |
NW3514 by Mr S S Zondo - Whether he has records of the total number of... | |
NW3535 by Mr M K Montwedi - What (a) total amount does his department... | |
NW3387 by Mr S S Zondo - Whether he has any actionable immediate plans... | |
NW3337 by Mrs W R Alexander - What are the relevant details of the... | |
NW3066 by A L A Abrahams - (1)(a) What are the reasons that were given to... | |
NW3074 by S J Graham - (1)(a) What number of applications have been... | |
NW2672 by L A Schreiber - (1)What is the status of the committee... | |
NW2537 by Mr P A van Staden - Whether, with reference to his reply to... | |
NW2737 by W R Alexander - (a) What total amount did (i) his department... | |
NW1616 by Mrs Y N Yako - In light of how his department outsources most... | |
NW294 by Mr S S Zondo - Whether, given that during the State of the... | |
NW596 by Ms S J Graham - (1)Whether her department has received the... | |
NW1646 by Mrs C Phillips - Whether, with reference to the former... | |
NW2410 by A M Siwisa - What total number of properties that are under... | |
NW1927 by Ms A M Siwisa - (a) On what date will renovations at the... | |
NW1735 by Mr S S Zondo - (1) Whether, considering the R500 million that... | |
NW1645 by Mrs C Phillips - Whether, with reference to the former... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Expropriation Bill | 15 Oct 2020 | B23-2020 | Under consideration by the National Council of Provinces. |
Expropriation Bill | 13 Feb 2015 | B4-2015 | Rejected |
Agremént South Africa Bill | 10 Feb 2015 | B3-2015 | Act commenced |
Built Environment Professions Bill | 19 Jun 2008 | B53-2008 | Lapsed |
Expropriation Bill | 15 Apr 2008 | B16-2008 | Withdrawn |
Government Immovable Asset Management Bill | 06 Feb 2006 | B1-2006 | Act commenced |
Attendance
Ranked 14 out of 194 for NAMembership
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Khumalo, Ms FEANC
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Mashele, Mr TVANC
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Mathebula, Mr EFANC
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Mjobo, Ms LNANC
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Shabalala, Ms LFANC
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Siwisa, Ms AMEFF
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Thring, Mr WMACDP
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Zondo, Mr S SIFP
Contact
Secretary of Committee
CS: Nola Matinise
Tel: 021 403 3780
Cell: 083 709 8397
Email: [email protected]
Secretary to Chairperson
Gadija Osman
Tel: 021 403 2847
Cell: 083 709 8423
E-mail: [email protected]