Public Enterprises
National Assembly Committee
About this committee
Oversight responsibility of Public Enterprises Portfolio Committee
The Public Enterprises Portfolio Committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Public Enterprises as well as the following statutory entities:
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.
The Contribution of SOEs to Vision 2030 | |
Repeal of the Overvaal Resorts Limited Bill [B 36 – 2017] | |
Repeal of the Overvaal Resort Limited Bill - draft |
NW156 by Ms S J Graham - With reference to Eskom’s Tarriffs and Charges... | |
NW3 by Ms T Breedt - What is the current status of the private... | |
NW68 by Mr J F Smalle - What (a) total number of cases of (i) theft of... | |
NW59 by Dr M M Gondwe - Whether compared to December 2022 there have... | |
NW58 by Dr M M Gondwe - What (a) may have been the cause of the lack... | |
NW3295 by Mr E M Buthelezi - In light of the fact that the strategies that... | |
NW3248 by Mr R A Lees - Whether, given that he did not table in... | |
NW4034 by Mr K P Sithole - Whether his department have any step-by-step... | |
NW4149 by Inkosi E M Buthelezi - Whether his department will review the current... | |
NW4183 by Ms S J Graham - What (a) are the details of the (i) metros and... | |
NW4191 by F Essack - What total kilometres of Transnet Freight Rail... | |
NW4015 by Inkosi E M Buthelezi - What (a) are the (i) names and (ii) positions... | |
NW2605 by Mr N F Shivambu - (1)(a) What is the name of each company that... | |
NW2834 by Mr G K Y Cachalia - Whether he has found that Eskom assets are... | |
NW4139 by Ms N Mhlongo - Whether Eskom is steadfast in its commitment... | |
NW4052 by Ms S J Graham - Whether Eskom has determined the extent to... | |
NW3780 by Ms S J Graham - With reference to Eskom’s required Atmospheric... | |
NW3779 by Ms S J Graham - With reference to Eskom’s required Atmospheric... | |
NW3761 by Mr V Pambo - Noting that The Petroleum Oil and Gas... | |
NW3633 by Mr F Essack - What (a) number of board meetings and/or... | |
NW4193 by Mr F Essack - (1) What total amount of private investment... | |
NW3516 by Mr E M Buthelezi - Whether his department has any short-term... | |
NW4150 by Inkosi E M Buthelezi - Whether his department has any projected... | |
NW4014 by Inkosi E M Buthelezi - Whether his department has any (a) short-term... | |
NW4053 by Ms S J Graham - With regard to the Distribution Demand... | |
NW3905 by Ms A M van Zyl - Whether, with reference to his reply to... | |
NW3946 by Mr G R Krumbock - Whether (a) he, (b) the Deputy Minister and... | |
NW3091 by Mr F Essack - (1) As the Government shareholder... | |
NW3092 by Mr F Essack - What (a) total amount in debt does (i) Denel,... | |
NW3222 by Mr F Essack - DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES REPUBLIC OF... | |
NW3525 by Mr S Tambo - a) What steps does he intend to take to (i)... | |
NW3798 by Inkosi E M Buthelezi - What are the relevant details of the (a)... | |
NW3799 by Inkosi E M Buthelezi - (1) whether his department has any records of... | |
NW3289 by Ms J C N Mkhwanazi - Considering that two of the most important... | |
NW3632 by Mr F Essack - What total amount has (a) Eskom, (e) Alexkor... | |
NW3562 by Mr M J Cuthbert - With reference to capital investment on ports... | |
NW3517 by Mr E M Buthelezi - What are the relevant details of the (a) total... | |
NW3483 by Ms S J Graham - What is the (a) collection rate of Eskom from... | |
NW3482 by Ms S J Graham - What (a) progress has been made on the... | |
NW3449 by Mr M J Cuthbert - With reference to capital investment on ports... | |
NW3445 by Mr G K Y Cachalia - Whether, noting that trade unions under the... | |
NW3444 by Mr G K Y Cachalia - Whether, considering that Transnet Freight... | |
NW3443 by Mr G K Y Cachalia - Considering that a road to rail initiative... | |
NW3409 by Ms A M Siwisa - With reference to the recent allegations that... | |
NW3339 by Ms S J Graham - (1) What number of (a) houses were identified... | |
NW3325 by Mr G K Y Cachalia - Whether he has found that the electricity... | |
NW3296 by Mr E M Buthelezi - Whether he intends resigning from the Cabinet... | |
NW3291 by Ms C M Phiri - What (a) is the progress to date regarding the... | |
NW3347 by Mr M J Cuthbert - What value of electricity discounts has been... | |
NW2810 by Mr A M Shaik Emam - (1) What (a) are the relevant details of the... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Repeal of South African Airways Bill | 24 Jan 2024 | B2-2024 | Under consideration by the National Assembly. |
Repeal of the Overvaal Resorts Limited Bill | 08 Dec 2017 | B36-2017 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Broadband Infraco Bill | 06 Jul 2007 | B26-2007 | Act commenced |
South African Express Bill | 30 May 2007 | B14-2007 | Act commenced |
South African Airways Bill | 13 Nov 2006 | B35-2006 | Act commenced |
Transnet Pension Fund Amendment Bill | 12 Oct 2006 | B30-2006 | Act commenced |
Attendance
Ranked 127 out of 194 for NAMembership
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Buthelezi, Mr EMIFP
-
Dlamini, Mr NEANC
-
Essack, Mr FDA
-
Gondwe, Dr MDA
-
Gumede, Mr SNANC
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Herron, Mr BNGOOD
-
Kwankwa, Mr NLUDM
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Malinga, Ms VTANC
-
Maotwe, Ms OMCEFF
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Mhlongo, Ms NEFF
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Phiri, Ms CMANC
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Siweya, Ms RTANC
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Swart, Mr SNACDP
Contact
Secretary of Committee:
Disang Mocumi
Tel: 021 403 8115
Cell: 083 709 8512
Email: [email protected]
Secretary To Chairperson:
Loretta Lawrence
Tel: 021 403 2723
Cell: 083 709 8485
Email: [email protected]