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 |
NW3192 by Ms E R J Spies - (1)On what date did he attend the last meeting... | |
NW3528 by Mr F Essack - (1)(a) Which service provider was appointed to... | |
NW3529 by Dr L A Schreiber - (1)Whether he appeared before and/or met with... | |
NW4456 by Mr F Essack - What role will (a) his department and (b) the... | |
NW4422 by Ms P Madokwe - Considering assertions made by the Chief... | |
NW4077 by Ms O M C Maotwe - What were the reasons for the complete closure... | |
NW4359 by Ms B M van Minnen - What (a) are the new and updated costs of the... | |
NW4379 by Mr F Essack - With most renewable energy projects that are... | |
NW4373 by Mrs M B Hicklin - What (a) are the reasons that Eskom refuses to... | |
NW4315 by Mr E M Buthelezi - Whether, with reference to his department’s... | |
NW4308 by Dr W J Boshoff - What are the relevant details of (a) the total... | |
NW4302 by Mr G K Y Cachalia - What are the relevant details of the... | |
NW4301 by Mr E M Buthelezi - With regard to the financial constraints and... | |
NW4076 by Ms O M C Maotwe - What (a) procurement processes were followed... | |
NW4049 by Mrs N I Tarabella Marchesi - Whether, with regard to the summons and... | |
NW4046 by Mr E J Marais - What (a) was the total capital budget for... | |
NW4044 by Mr E J Marais - What is the total (a) percentage and (b)... | |
NW4043 by Mr M Chetty - What (a) was the total capital budget for the... | |
NW4042 by Mr M Chetty - What (a) was the total revenue for the... | |
NW3893 by Mr E M Buthelezi - Whether, considering the ending of Transnet’s... | |
NW3390 by Mrs NJ Nolutshungu - In light of the fact that earlier in 2022, the... | |
NW3297 by Mr E M Buthelezi - (1) Given that the Minister of Mineral... | |
NW3370 by Mr M M Chabangu - Whether he has found that Eskom can be rescued... | |
NW3914 by Ms P Madokwe - What (a) amount has Eskom invested in power... | |
NW4017 by Mr C V King - Whether, with reference to his comments during... | |
NW4075 by Ms O M C Maotwe - Whether he has found any misconduct on the... | |
NW4118 by Mr. M Tswaku - What (a) impact will the decommissioning of... | |
NW4212 by Mr E J Marais - In light of the fact that Transnet has... | |
NW4288 by Mr M Tshwaku - Following the decommissioning of the Komati... | |
NW4289 by Mr M Tshwaku - What are the full details of the recent loan... | |
NW4291 by Mr E J Marais - In light of the fact that Transnet assisted... | |
NW3747 by Mr T M Langa - Considering that organised labour declared a... | |
NW3736 by Ms O M C Maotwe - By what date will Eskom be paying workers the... | |
NW3620 by Mr R A Lees - (1)What is the total monetary value of (a) all... | |
NW3594 by Mrs V van Dyk - (a) Who appointed a certain person as the... | |
NW3582 by Mr E M Buthelezi - Whether he will furnish Mr E M Buthelezi with... | |
NW3546 by Mrs V van Dyk - (1)(a) On what date was Messina Attorneys... | |
NW3790 by Mr E M Buthelezi - Whether he will furnish Mr E M Buthelezi with... | |
NW3840 by Mr F Essack - Whether, in light of the fact that the... | |
NW3875 by Dr P J Groenewald - Considering that before December 2021 three... | |
NW3878 by Dr W J Boshoff - Whether, with reference to Medupi’s ash dump... | |
NW3891 by Dr P J Groenewald - Whether, in view of his statement at the... | |
NW3892 by Mr E M Buthelezi - Considering the breakdown of a generating unit... | |
NW3410 by Mrs V van Dyk - (1) Whether Alexkor has a (a) social and (b)... | |
NW3414 by Mrs O M C Maotwe - Whether the International Air Services... | |
NW3443 by Mr TM Langa - By what date will the Chief Executive Officer... | |
NW3152 by Mr R A Lees - Whether Eskom will carry the costs of the... | |
NW3111 by Mrs V van Dyk - (1) On what date was International Dredging... | |
NW3109 by Mrs V van Dyk - With reference to the (a)(i) Boegoebaai Port... | |
NW3019 by Mr E M Buthelezi - (1) Whether any steps have been taken against... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
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 100 out of 136 for NAMembership
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Buthelezi, Mr EMIFP
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Dlamini, Mr NEANC
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Gumede, Mr SNANC
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Herron, Mr BNGOOD
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Komane, Ms RNEFF
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Kwankwa, Mr NLUDM
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Malinga, Ms VTANC
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Maotwe, Ms OMCEFF
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Phiri, Ms CMANC
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Swart, Mr SNACDP
-
Tshabalala, Ms JANC
Contact
Secretary of Committee:
Disang Mocumi
Tel: 021 403 8115
Cell: 083 709 8512
Email: dmocumi@parliament.gov.za
Secretary To Chairperson:
Loretta Lawrence
Tel: 021 403 2723
Cell: 083 709 8485
Email: llawrence@parliament.gov.za