Public Service and Administration, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
Oversight responsibility of Public Service and Administration Portfolio Committee
The Public Service and Administration Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) as well as the following statutory entities:
Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI)
Public Service Commission (PSC)
Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS)
National School of Government (NSG)
Statistics SA (StatsSA)
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.
NW712 by Ms R N Komane - Considering that the Public Service Commission... | |
NW365 by Mr W F Faber - (1)What are the details of the (a) destination... | |
NW729 by Dr M M Gondwe - With reference to the National Framework... | |
NW726 by Dr L A Schreiber - Whether, with reference to the recommendation... | |
NW719 by Ms S T Maneli - In light of the Public Service Regulations of... | |
NW718 by Dr J Nothnagel - (1) With reference to the State of the Nation... | |
NW426 by Dr M M Gondwe - What (a) total number of cases of illegal... | |
NW280 by M M Gondwe - 1)What mandate does his department have with... | |
NW282 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)What measures are taken against members of... | |
NW187 by W F Faber - What are the details of the (a) make, (b)... | |
NW76 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)On what date was Mr Dumisani Hlophe... | |
NW281 by M M Gondwe - (1)On what date did the last review of the... | |
NW4393 by Dr L A Schreiber - What is the (a) total number of staff employed... | |
NW4710 by Mr E M Buthelezi - Whether, with reference to complaints by many... | |
NW3804 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)Whether, with reference to the reply of the... | |
NW2988 by Dr L A Schreiber - Whether he and/or his department submitted a... | |
NW4147 by Dr M M Gondwe - What interventions has his department taken to... | |
NW3341 by Dr L A Schreiber - (1)On what date did he attend the last meeting... | |
NW3548 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)With reference to the reply to question... | |
NW3856 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)With reference to his reply to question... | |
NW3935 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)With reference to his reply to question... | |
NW1589 by Dr L A Schreiber - Whether (a) her department and/or (b) entities... | |
NW4015 by Mrs H Denner - What are his department’s contingency plans to... | |
NW4135 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - (a) What are the relevant details regarding... | |
NW4303 by Mrs H Denner - (1)(a) Which (i) state departments have... | |
NW4335 by Dr M M Gondwe - With reference to his reply to question 3409... | |
NW4296 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1) With reference to his reply to question... | |
NW3750 by Ms R N Komane - What are the reasons that the toll-free number... | |
NW3785 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - (1)Whether he will furnish Inkosi R N... | |
NW3934 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)With reference to his reply to question... | |
NW4000 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)Whether his department has been monitoring... | |
NW4027 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)What (a) measures has his department put in... | |
NW4137 by Inkosi R N Cebekhulu - With reference to the statement of his Deputy... | |
NW4270 by Mrs C C S Motsepe - With reference to the toll-free numbers of the... | |
NW3762 by Ms R N Komane - Whether a Senior Management Service (SMS)... | |
NW3761 by Ms R N Komane - Given that the Public Service Amendment Bill... | |
NW3392 by Ms R N Komane - In light of the fact that communication and/or... | |
NW2350 by Dr M M Gondwe - What (a) was the backlog of disciplinary cases... | |
NW3760 by Ms R N Komane - What measures has he and/or his department... | |
NW3857 by The Leader of the Opposition - What (a) total number of staff members are... | |
NW3636 by Mr D Joseph - By what date will the Government include the... | |
NW2558 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1) Whether, with reference to his reply to... | |
NW3411 by Dr M M Gondwe - (a) What (i) total number of public servants... | |
NW3409 by Dr M M Gondwe - What (a)(i) total number of public servants... | |
NW3432 by Mrs C C S Motsepe - Whether he has been informed that departments... | |
NW3486 by Dr M M Gondwe - What total number of (a) public servants in... | |
NW2933 by Dr M M Gondwe - (1)With reference to the reply to question... | |
NW2515 by Mrs H Denner - (1) (a) What (i) total number of employees of... | |
NW2644 by Dr L A Schreiber - (1) Whether he will furnish Dr L A Schreiber... | |
NW2447 by Mr V Zungula - (1)What total number of non-citizens have been... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Public Administration Laws General Amendment Bill | 19 Aug 2021 | B16-2021 | Under consideration by the National Assembly. |
Ease of Doing Business Bill | 26 Feb 2021 | B6-2021 | Lapsed |
Public Service Commission Amendment Bill | 26 Aug 2015 | B21-2015 | Act commenced |
Public Administration Management Bill | 18 Nov 2013 | B55-2013 | Act partially commenced |
Public Administration Management Bill | 09 Oct 2013 | B48-2013 | Withdrawn |
Public Administration Management Bill | 13 Jun 2008 | B47-2008 | Withdrawn |
Public Service Amendment Bill | 17 Oct 2006 | B31-2006 | Act commenced |
Attendance
Ranked 34 out of 156 for NAMembership
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Gondwe, Dr MDA
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Kibi, Ms MTANC
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Komane, Ms RNEFF
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Malomane, Ms VPANC
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Maneli, Ms STANC
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Mgweba, Ms TANC
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Motsepe, Ms CCSEFF
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Nothnagel, Dr JANC
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Ntuli, Ms M MANC
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Sibisi, Mr CHMNFP
Contact
Secretary of Committee
Masixole Zibeko
Tel: 021 403 8445
Cell: 083 709 8531
Email: mzibeko@parliament.gov.za
Secretary to Chairperson
Sheila Mninzi
Tel: 021 403 3233
Cell: 083 709 8478
Email: smninzi@parliament.gov.za