REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS ON THE DEFENCE AMENDMENT BILL [PMB 8 – 2013], dated 17 September 2014

1.1 The Defence Amendment Bill (‘the Bill’), tabled in Parliament and referred to the previous portfolio committee on 2 October 2013, was revived for consideration by the Committee on 21 July 2014.

1.2 The legislative proposal seeks to amend the Defence Act (No 42-2002) in order for Parliament to receive defence procurement quarterly reports and for it to be notified of delays and any escalation of costs associated with a procurement project.

1.3 Guided by the National Assembly rules governing the parliamentary committees’ consideration of private members’ legislative proposals, the Committee was briefed by the Bill’s initiator, considered legal advice from Parliamentary Legal Services and considered the Department of Defence’s comment on the legislative proposal.

1.4 On 3 September 2014, the Committee thoroughly debated the merits and demerits of the Bill and formally considered its desirability: the majority of members present were not in favour of the Bill.

1.5 Having concluded its deliberations, the Committee is satisfied that the current legislative framework (that includes the Defence Act and Public Finance Management Act No 1 of 1999) together with the relevant Parliamentary rules and procedures, provides sufficient mechanisms for parliamentary defence committees to maintain strict oversight of the Department of Defence and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

Report to be considered.