Oversight and law making are two of Parliament’s key constitutional responsibilities through which the institution continuously endeavors to improve the quality of life of all South Africans, particularly the poor. Parliament has during this electoral term committed to intensify effective oversight over the executive by strengthening its scrutiny of actions against the needs of South Africans. The forthcoming 13 committee meetings taking place at Parliament and 11 oversight visits across the country put these responsibilities and commitments into action.

• The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will hold hearings on the Traditional and Khoisan Leadership Bill in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng from 27 to 31 March.  (Contact Temba Gubula: 081 402 3531)
• The Select Committee on Finance is scheduled to hold hearings on the Financial Sector Regulation Bill in Gauteng on 28 and 29 March. (Contact Justice Molafo: 081 424 7481)

 

• The Standing Committee on Public Accounts will from 28 to 29 March visit the Auckland Park offices of the South African Broadcasting Corporation to establish the root causes of irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, progress to address this and general financial management. The committee will also visit the SA Post Office offices in Centurion to gain a picture of the Post Office’s capacity and state of readiness to disburse social grants as stated in its Constitutional Court submission. (Contact Faith Kwaza: 081 377 0686)

 

• The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources will hold discussions in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga from 27 to 31 March on illegal mining and opportunities for small scale and emergent miners. (Contact Justice Molafo: 081 424 7481)

 

• A joint visit to Mpumalanga by the Portfolio Committees on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Women in the Presidency and the Multiparty Women’s Caucus Steering Committee from 26 to 31 March will look at cross-cutting activities and policy issues related to the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. (Sureshnee Govender: 081 704 1109)

 

• The Portfolio Committee on Social Development will from 27 to 31 March carry out visits to the Free State Department of Social Development’s funded programmes, anti-substance abuse treatment centres, child and youth care centres, drop in centres, family preservation centres and National Development Agency projects in Free State.(Contact Faith Kwaza: 081 377 0686)

 

• The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration/Planning. Monitoring and Evaluation will, from 27 to 31 March, visit Thusong Service Centres, hospitals and National Youth Development offices in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. (Contact Malatswa Molepo: 081 512 7920)
• The Portfolio Committee on Economic Development will, from 27 to 31 March visit Soweto Gold, Reitz in Free State, Phalaborwa Copper and Foskor in Phalaborwa, Limpopo. (Sureshnee Govender: 081 704 1109)

 

• The Select Committee on Economic Development will visit Mpumalanga from 27 to 31 March. (Contact Sibongile Maputi: 061 413 2506)

 

• The Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology will visit the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal from 27 to 31 March. (Contact Sureshnee Govender: 081 704 1109)

 

• The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education will be visiting Gauteng from 27 to 31 March to oversee the state of schooling in the province. (Contact Rajaa Azzakani: 081 703 9542)

 

• On Tuesday, at Parliament, the Standing Committee on Finance will receive briefings from National Treasury and the SA Revenue Service (SARS) on their quarterly reports.  SARS Commissioner Mr Tom Moyane is expected to brief the committee.

 

• On Wednesday, SA Airways Board Chairperson Ms Dudu Myeni is expected to brief the committee on its quarterly report.The Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation will be briefed on Cricket SA transformation and development on Tuesday.

 

• On Thursday, the SA Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector will brief the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on their budgets and annual performance plans.
• On Wednesday, the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation will receive input from National Treasury on the Foreign Service Bill while the Portfolio Committee on Rural Development will receives a briefing on the Communal Property Associations Bill from the department.