The Week Ahead: Executive scrutiny & legislative action

There's both high policy and low politics on display in the main chambers this week. The National Assembly offers a blend of members' statements, a discussion of national importance, legislative business and oral questions to the Deputy President and Peace and Security Cluster. The programme is a bit more pedestrian in the NCOP chamber, with the Governance and Administration Cluster question session the only significant event. In addition, the legislature has scheduled a joint debate to mark Women's Day.

During his question session, the leader of government business will answer questions about the visa regulations, the political impasse in Lesotho and his trip to China. Afterwards, the Ministers in the Peace and Security Cluster will be interrogated on a range of serious issues. Watch out for some hard hitting questions about whether the government intends to withdraw as a signatory of the Rome Statute and the intelligence leak at the State Security Agency.

The NA rules make provision for an MP to request the Speaker to place a matter of public importance on the Order Paper for discussion. EFF MP, Floyd Shivambu exercised this right and a debate on the Marikana Commission Report has been arranged for Thursday. Last year, Julius Malema was removed from the National Assembly chamber for refusing to withdraw his remarks that the ANC government was responsible for the Marikana massacre. He subsequently approached the court to assert his right to freedom of speech, and this was affirmed by a court. No doubt, we can expect heated exchanges and strong rhetoric during the debate.

Over in the NCOP, one of the most intriguing questions that will be posed during its question session concerns the public and councillors. Ms T J Mokwele (North West: EFF) will ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: (a) What monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to ensure that Councillors do not use their political power to abuse residents (details furnished), (b) what are the consequences for Councillors who do not serve all members of the public to the best of their abilities and (c) what protection do members of the public have from Councillors who incite violence and discriminate against persons of other political affiliations?

There's some very significant Committee action this week. Here is a run down of the highlights:

On Tuesday, the Minister of Communications and various state entities will brief a joint parliamentary committee on the state of readiness for Broadcasting Digital Migration. The country failed to meet the International Telecommunications Union’s agreed deadline for the switch-off of analogue television signals and is working with neighbouring countries to finalise a new date for the switchover.

On the same day, lawmakers will conduct public hearings on the Industrial Policy Action Plan and discuss gender mainstreaming and the revised Solar Water Heater Programme.

The Expropriation Bill begins the next phase of its long and winding legislative road as MPs start their clause-by-clause deliberations on the Bill.

The Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Probing Violence Against Foreign Nationals has been conducting oversight visits across the country. These included engagements with traditional leaders, the police, labour federations, business chambers, spaza shop organisations, and agencies involved in offering relief aid to foreigners. On this day, it will receive a briefing by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration and Department of Labour on operations, progress and plans in relation to violence against foreign nationals.

On Wednesday, the issue of domestic violence comes to the fore when the SAPS and other relevant groups brief Parliament about the implementation of the applicable legislation. Notably, Parliament's police portfolio committee has criticised the nine provincial police commissioners for publicly voicing their support for the beleaguered National Police Commissioner. The Commissioners will appear before the Committee today.

The Department of Public Service and Administration will brief legislators on its progress in achieving employment of 50% of women and 2% of people with disabilities in the public sector.

The Parliamentary Budget Office was established to provide independent, objective and professional advice and analysis to Parliament on matters related to the budget and other money Bills. This body's report on State Owned Enterprises will be keenly followed given the state of most of the parastatals.

On the legislative front, committees will get briefings and deliberate on the Children’s Amendment Bill (Private Members Bill), Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill, Plant Improvement and Plant Breeders’ Rights Bills, Merchant Shipping Amendment Bill and “Twin Peaks” legislation.

Find the full list of meetings here.

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