Committee Programme: adoption

Meeting report

HOME AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
22 February 2005
COMMITTEE PROGRAMME ADOPTION

Chairperson: Mr H Chauke (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Committee Programme

SUMMARY
The Committee was briefed on its programme for the year. Foci for the year would include legislation for 2005; dealing with pornography in popular media; the launch of the ID book campaign in KwaZulu-Natal; problems with immigration officers at Cape Town International Airport; the plight of refugees in South Africa; visits to various SA border posts; service delivery in the Free State and Northern Cape; a study tour to France and Britain to look at immigration policies; and examining the Department’s role in the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

MINUTES
The Chairperson said that South Africa had become a ‘dumping ground’ for explicit pornography. He would raise the issue of pornographic movies on E-TV with the Minister of Communications. The location of pornographic shops in residential areas was also a concern.

The Chairperson said that the Committee would, immediately after this session, meet with senior immigration officers at the Cape Town International Airport to discuss grievances raised by some immigration officers with regard to issues such as racism in the workplace.

He continued that the planned trip to the KwaZulu-Natal Identity (ID) book launch campaign had been postponed. A conference on migration would be taking place at the Cape Town Convention Centre in March, but he was not sure whether the entire Portfolio Committee had been invited. He felt it was important that all Members attend.

The Chairperson then spoke briefly about upcoming Ministry deliberations during March and April, that would cover Regulations on the Immigration Bill; visa fees and relations with Mozambique; Budget Vote 4, the Independent Electoral Commission and the Department’s strategic plans for 2005/2006, as well as progress with the 2004 strategic plans; as well as staff shortages and upgrading of IT systems. He mentioned that the date for local elections had not been finalised. The Committee would hopefully adopt the report on Budget Vote 4 and the Department’s Strategic Plan by 12 April.

He then discussed the planned meetings with refugee representatives, as well as a visit to the Lindlela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp. On a previous surprise visit to the Centre, he had found the negative newspaper reports to be untrue. He was concerned that all refugees at Lindlela were of African origin, as illegal aliens from many other regions were not being targeted for repatriation. Xenophobia would have to be addressed. A meeting would also be held with the refugee community in Durban. A network was needed between the refugee centres because illegal aliens whose applications for refugee status were rejected in one city, simply moved on to other cities where their status was unknown.

He briefly mentioned the debate on the Department budget and the meeting with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in May; the briefings and deliberations on legislation in June; the trip to the Free State and the Northern Cape during July; and the visit to the National Office of Home Affairs, the IEC, the Film and Publications Board and the Government Printing Department, during August.

The Chairperson said that France and Britain had been identified as the countries that could share knowledge on migration policy. Two other areas of concern for South Africa were the regulation of migration within Africa and the ‘brain drain’. He suggested that the Committee should possibly host a conference on migration for SADC parliamentarians. A common identity document, modelled on that of the European Union, was a real possibility for the SADC region and could contribute to the African Renaissance.

He then discussed the responsibility of the Department surrounding the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Computer systems would need to be fully functioning in order that the anticipated influx of visitors be dealt with speedily.

The Committee would visit various SA border posts, including Beit Bridge. If the Committee had time, the visit would also include a quick trip to Mozambique and Zimbabwe to look at their migration legislation.

Discussion
Mr Swart (DA) and Mr M Sibande (ANC) raised their concerns about dates. Mr Sibande also raised his concerns about the close proximity of the ‘Adult World’ shop to Parliament.

The Chairperson suggested that the question of Adult World would be dealt with at the meeting with the Film and Publications Board.

Mr Skhosana (ANC) raised the question of accommodation for Committee members on trips. The allocation of R450 per night was not adequate. He suggested that the Committee broadly accept the principle of the programme.

Ms S Kalyan (DA) said that the report on oversight visits had yet not come to the Committee and that the workshop in November had not been slotted into the programme. She also asked whether the visit to the airport would be too short to really explore the problems being experienced there.

The Chairperson responded that the problems should be dealt with as quickly as possible. A small subcommittee would be set up to follow up on the visit.

The Programme was adopted with amendments

The meeting was adjourned.