Committee Minutes

Meeting report

The Chairperson welcomed and thanked everyone for being in attendance. It had been long since the Committee last met. However, she hoped the meeting would be short as she intended to discuss the basics and leave the actual work for future meetings. She asked Members if they had all received the agenda and if they supported it.

Members agreed and supported the agenda.

The Chairperson asked if there were any apologies.

The Committee Secretary gave apologies for Mr S Somyo (ANC) who could not make it to the meeting, but with a possibility of joining later if circumstances permit.

Mr S Buthelezi (ANC) mentioned that Mr I Morolong (ANC) was trying to join the meeting.

The Chairperson asked the Committee Secretary to lead in discussing the agenda and the first set of minutes.

The Secretary suggested the Committee start with the minutes of 24 June 2020 followed by 31 July and lastly 20 August in that order to reduce the workload of the last minutes. He was hopeful that the Chairperson would discuss that at the end of the meeting.

The Chairperson asked Members if they agreed with the suggestion made by the Committee Secretary

Members agreed.

Committee minutes dated 24 June 2020

The minutes were adopted without amendment.

Committee minutes dated 30 July 2020

The minutes were adopted without amendment.

Mr N Singh (IFP) brought it to the attention of the Committee that a set of minutes appeared to be missing.  

The Chairperson asked members if they all had noticed that there was a set of minutes missing.

The Secretary agreed with Mr Singh’s discovery and confirmed there was a set of minutes that he had reserved for the Committee’s next meeting. The missing minutes were of the meeting that was conducted on 4 August 2020 where shortlisting was done. The Secretary said he had his reasons for reserving the minutes and wanted to avoid sending them to Members before the document was ready. He assured Members the minutes of 4 August would be considered at the next meeting. This would also include the minutes of 14 October 2020 and the minutes for the last meeting of the Committee. He emphasised the minutes were not missing as he was totally aware of it and will be made available in the next meeting.

The Chairperson thanked the Secretary and asked Members if they were satisfied with his explanation and future arrangements.

Mr Singh noted that what matters is that it works and agreed with the Secretary.

Committee minutes dated 20 August 2020

The minutes were adopted without amendment.

The Chairperson explained to Members that the Committee had been trying to secure a meeting where the work could be finalised along with the Report.

She said that after consulting with the Presiding Officers and Chief Whip’s office, she would like to propose that the Committee conduct a meeting on Tuesday, 20 October at 10am. The Committee would have to deal with a set of minutes that had been deferred as well as the minutes of the meeting today, 14 October 2020.

The Secretary said that he wished to confirm the proposal which came, following conversations by the Programming Committee and various offices among the political principals. He confirmed the Committee would next meet on Tuesday, 20 October. He would send all the details to Members following the meeting today. Members would have to revisit the interviews that were conducted and deliberate on them. He confidentially said that on behalf of the secretariat, he will have the Report ready. He would be able to complete it on the same day so that the Committee can adopt it and send it to the National Assembly alongside the three sets of minutes discussed earlier.

That was the proposal before the Committee for consideration.

The Chairperson also emphasised that this was the proposal before all the work is completed.  She asked for any takers on the proposal and asked Members to check their diaries before the date of 20 October 2020 was confirmed as the next meeting date.

Mr Buthelezi said that he knew that the Committee, the Secretary and Ms Peters have a Committee meeting on the same day. He asked if there was any other meetings on the same day, and whether there would be a House sitting.

The Chairperson answered that there would be a House sitting on the same day.

Mr Buthelezi proposed the meeting begin at 12pm instead of 10am on 20 October 2020.

The Chairperson accepted the proposal and emphasised that all she wants is for all Members to be present on the day of the meeting.

The Secretary advised Members to check their schedules, consider the proposal and then communicate on a more suitable time. He was confident that he will find a convenient time during the day. He suggested conducting the meeting for more than one session on the day in case the meeting overlaps. In the meeting, Members would be able to deliberate and finalise the Report before it was sent to the National Assembly. This would avoid a long meeting in the evening. He proposed that the Committee would have to adopt the documents but this can be worked around.

Mr Singh seconded Mr Buthelezi’s suggestion of scheduling the meeting for 12pm.

The Chairperson agreed to start the meeting at 12pm until 2pm to accommodate Members. This would also enable Members to change and join the National Assembly on the same day. Members would be advised on the work that should be completed, the same evening.

Members agreed.

The Chairperson asked if there were any further issues that needed to be addressed.

Mr Buthelezi asked whether the next meeting would be conducted virtually or in person. This was because he had once learnt that the Chief Whip had suggested that the Committee should start meeting in person especially Members conducting interviews.

The Chairperson confirmed that it will be a virtual meeting as some Members would not be able to travel to Cape Town. She confirmed the proposal and asked Members if they agreed with what has been discussed i.e. the time and agenda for the next meeting

Members agreed.

Mr Buthelezi proposed that the Committee could ask to be excused from the National Assembly sitting to avoid the meeting running late into the evening.

The Chairperson noted that request and asked Members if they all agree.

Members agreed.

Meeting was adjourned.