Chairperson and hon members, there is no discussion by government to reconsider the number of members of the NCOP or any provincial legislature with a view to increasing the number of members. A discussion of that kind will have to involve various institutions of state beyond government and will also have to involve the broader society. Parliament in general and the NCOP in particular will have to play a leading role in such a discussion.
Government is currently finalising a policy review of provincial and local government. While Cabinet has not yet received a formal report on this work, the review is expected to reflect on key governance lessons of the past 15 years as they relate to the role and performance of provincial and local government and the implications of these lessons.
It is quite possible that issues related to the role and size of provincial legislatures may emerge from the review that may indeed have an impact on the NCOP. However, this policy review will need to be discussed thoroughly by Parliament itself. I thank you.
Position regarding government officials and/or public servants having companies building government-provided houses
12. Ms M C Dikgale (ANC) asked the Deputy President:
(1) Whether the government has information regarding government officials and/or public servants who have companies that are currently building government-provided houses for communities; if so,
(2) whether those government officials and/or public servants were all authorised by the government to build the houses; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how many of those government officials and/or public servants are employed in the national and provincial departments responsible for Human Settlements;
(3) whether he will consider requesting the relevant Members of the Executive Councils, MECs, or the Minister to launch an investigation into the matter and forward a report to the NCOP; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?