Land Reform and Rural Development
National Assembly Committee
Historical meetings are available in the Agriculture committee.
About this committee
Oversight responsibility of Land Reform and Rural Development Portfolio Committee
The Land Reform and Rural Development Portfolio Committee oversees the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, and its statutory entities.
The Committee is mandated to:
- consider, amend and/or initiate legislation that is specific to, or impacts on Rural Development and Land Reform.
- 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 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 rural development and land reform.
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.
NW43 by Ms M Dlamini - Whether, with reference to a reply to question... | |
NW143 by Mr N S Matiase - Given the number of outstanding land claims,... | |
NW41 by Ms M Dlamini - Whether, with reference to a reply by Ms A T... | |
NW42 by Ms M Dlamini - With regards to the settlement of the Lower... | |
NW5 by Mr L W Mahlatsi - In light of the ongoing challenges faced by... | |
CW53 by Ms M Kennedy - With reference to the delays with restitution... | |
NW142 by Mr N S Matiase - With reference to the interdict brought about... | |
CW20 by Dr N P Mcinga - What specific measures will be taken to... | |
NW40 by Mr M K Montwedi - (1) What economic opportunities have been made... | |
NW759 by Mr N S MATIASE - (a) What number of hectares of land has been... | |
NW808 by MR N PAULSEN (EFF) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM - What are the details of the logistical support... | |
NW633 by Mr N S MATIASE - What (a) total amount has the State spent on... | |
NW713 by MS G S A NGWENYA - What is the (a) make, (b) model, (c) price and... | |
NW526 by MR N S MATIASE - (a) What number of (i) buildings, (ii)... | |
NW72 by Mr T J BRAUTESETH - (1) With reference to the reply to question... | |
NW285 by Mr N S MATIASE - What number of (a) tender briefings were held... | |
NW141 by MS T GQADA (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM - With reference to the reply of the Minister of... | |
NW2869 by MS TM MBABAMA - With regard to her department’s use it or lose... | |
NW2868 by MS TM MBABAMA - (a) What is the total number of beneficiaries,... | |
NW3806 by MS TM MBABAMA - (a) What is the name of each agri-park in her... | |
NW3852 by MR RK PURDON - (1) Whether (a) her department and/or (b) any... | |
NW3670 by DR PJ GROENEWALD - (1) What is the extent of land that the... | |
NW3261 by MR NS MATIASE - (1) What (a) was the total settlement amount... | |
NW2774 by MR HCC KRÜGER - (1) Whether her department financed any... | |
NW2898 by MR NS MATIASE - (1) (a) What is the extent of land that is... | |
NW3408 by MR KP ROBERTSON - What are the details of all land owned by her... | |
NW3666 by MR NS MATIASE - What (a) number of farms have been leased out... | |
NW3919 by MR NS MATIASE (EFF) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM - Whether, with reference to the reply of the... | |
NW2870 by Mr T W MHLONGO - (a) What number of projects relating to food... | |
NW2881 by Mr N S MATIASE (EFF) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM - With reference to the reply of the Minister of... | |
NW3456 by Mr J R B LORIMER - (1) (a) On what date did her department last... | |
NW3330 by Mr M L FILTANE - With regard to the current land grabs, which... | |
NW3287 by Mr N S MATIASE - Whether (a) her department and/or (b) entities... | |
NW2831 by Ms A STEYN - (1) With regard to the successful land claims... | |
NW2984 by Mr K P ROBERTSON - Whether she will furnish Mr K P Robertson with... | |
NW3183 by Mr K P ROBERTSON - Whether the Government has earmarked any land... | |
NW2983 by Mr K P ROBERTSON - (1) Whether a certain person (name furnished)... | |
NW2407 by Ms A STEYN - (a) What is the total amount in rental income... | |
NW3123 by Mr A M FIGLAN - Whether, since she served in Cabinet, she (a)... | |
NW2937 by Mr M HLENGWA - Whether, she has officially or unofficially... | |
NW2832 by Ms A STEYN - With reference to the past three financial... | |
NW2646 by Mr K P ROBERTSON - What are the details of (a) the criteria used... | |
NW2592 by Mr N S Matiase - (a) What is the total number of (i) deputy... | |
NW3245 by Mr S MOKGALAPA - What (a) amount did (i) her department and... | |
NW2852 by Mmusi Maimane - Whether her department has received the report... | |
NW2453 by Mr N S Matiase - What is the (a) name of each investing company... | |
NW2627 by Mosiuoa Lekota - With reference to a media report which states... | |
NW2776 by Mr K P ROBERTSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM - (1) With regard to the Mala Mala deal which... | |
NW2503 by MR B H HOLOMISA - 1) Whether, with regard to the alleged four... | |
NW2408 by MS A STEYN - What are the full details of each agri-park... |
Bill name | Date introduced | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Electronic Deeds Registration Systems Bill | 07 Dec 2017 | B35-2017 | Act partially commenced |
Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill - Mr P Mnguni (ANC) | 16 Aug 2017 | B19-2017 | Lapsed |
Communal Property Associations Amendment Bill | 28 Apr 2017 | B12-2017 | Approved by Parliament. Waiting to be signed into law. |
Communal Property Associations Amendment Bill | 22 Apr 2016 | X-2016 | |
Extension of Security of Tenure Amendment Bill | 08 Oct 2015 | B24-2015 | The bill has been signed into law. |
Property Valuation Bill | 12 Nov 2013 | B54-2013 | Act commenced |
Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill | 08 Oct 2013 | B35-2013 | Act commenced |
Deeds Registries Amendment Bill | 16 May 2013 | B10-2013 | Act commenced |
Sectional Titles Amendment Bill | 16 May 2013 | B11-2013 | Act commenced |
Geomatics Profession Bill | 07 Mar 2013 | B4-2013 | Act commenced |
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Bill | 18 Jun 2012 | B14-2012 | Act commenced |
Rural Development and Land Reform General Amendment Bill | 01 Oct 2010 | B33-2010 | Act commenced |
2010 Sectional Titles Schemes Management Bill | 22 Jul 2010 | B20-2010 | Act commenced |
2010 Sectional Titles Amendment Bill | 28 Jun 2010 | B14-2010 | Act commenced |
Deeds Registries Amendment Bill | 28 Jun 2010 | B13-2010 | Act commenced |
Black Authorities Act Repeal Bill | 21 Apr 2010 | B9-2010 | Act commenced |
Traditional Courts Bill | 09 Apr 2008 | B15-2008 | Withdrawn |
Attendance
Ranked 10 out of 35 for NAMembership
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Adams, Ms R CANC
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Boshoff, Dr WJFF+
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Lucas, Ms SEANC
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Mahlatsi, Mr LWUAT
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Matiase, Mr NSEFF
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Mrara, Mr MANC
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Ndalane, Ms NAANC
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Nhanha, Mr MDA