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Parliament has one of the most hectic programmes this week that represent the highest point of holding the Executive accountable, as both the President and his Deputy, will be answering questions of Members of Parliament in the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces respectively.

On Thursday, 16 March 2017, President Jacob Zuma will be answering questions from Members of the National Assembly on progress and challenges facing government in the execution of its programme aimed at improving people’s quality of life. A day before his appearance, on Wednesday 15 March 2017, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, will be answering questions from Members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on a variety of issues.

Section 92(2) of the Constitution gives powers to Parliament to hold Members of the Executive Arm of State (Cabinet members) collectively and individually accountable for their performance in carrying out their functions and programmes of executing the legislation and policies aimed at driving the realisation of the ideals of the Constitution as well as targets outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) and other international protocols and conventions endorsed by Parliament.

Other pertinent issues on the Parliament’s agenda and programme for this week include, debates on the South African Social Services Agency (SASSA) grant payments, the Division of Revenue Bill and Human Rights Day commemoration, which will take a centre stage in the National Assembly (NA) and the NCOP.

On Tuesday morning the Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan, is expected to brief the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on matters relating to the SASSA contract with Cash Paymaster Services. On the same day, the NA Plenary will debate a motion brought by the Inkatha Freedom Party entitled: “South African Social Services Agency grant payment crisis and steps taken to deal with the matter”. The Portfolio Committee on Energy will be holding officials from the Department of Energy and the Petro SA Board to account in respect of the forensic report on Petro SA impairment and their turnaround strategy.

On Wednesday, there will be the Second Reading of the Division of Revenue Bill in the NA, followed by a debate to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Constitution and the Human Rights Day. The Portfolio Committee on Public Works will also begin with deliberations on the land Expropriation Bill. Also on Wednesday, Scopa will conduct a hearing on, among others, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in Transnet.

Over 40 Portfolio Committee and Select Committee in total are in full swing this week, dealing with various issues of governance and service delivery. The schedule is updated daily and published on Parliament’s website. People can view the schedule on: https://www.parliament.gov.za/whatson#parltv

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services