Portfolio Committee on Communications embarks on oversight visit

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Pretoria – The Portfolio Committee on Communications is this week embarking on an oversight visit to the Department of Communications and its entities.

The committee’s first stop was at the Department of Communications and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in Pretoria on Tuesday morning.

The committee, which is chaired by Humphrey Maxegwana, was hosted by Communications Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

During the site visit, staff members were given an opportunity to address members of the committee as Maxegwana said it was important for the committee to have an engagement with the staff.

Among some of the concerns raised were the grading of positions, GCIS branding as well as funding for interns and other programmes.

“The Portfolio Committee on Communications and other committees are mandated by the Constitution of South Africa to play an oversight role in departments. The budget is voted by the committee, therefore the committee must understand and check how the money is utilised,” Maxegwana said.

He said the committee needs to make sure that the funds allocated to the department are used to the best interest of South African people.

Later on Tuesday, the committee will conduct a site visit to the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

On Wednesday, the committee will be visiting the offices of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in Johannesburg and the Film and Publications Board.

On Thursday, the committee will visit the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and on Friday the visit will be at Brand South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za