An amount of R3 million has been allocated to each Parliamentary portfolio committee to improve the committees planning and resourcing.
Speaker in the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza announced the committees’ allocations during the presentation of Parliament’s R5.08 billion Budget Vote in Parliament, Cape Town, on Tuesday.
Didiza said the dedicated funding will ensure that committees are adequately resourced and have an insight into the resources they have on an annual basis, for better planning.
The total allocation received from the National Treasury for the 2024/25 financial year amounts to R3.58 billion, which includes an additional R500 million earmarked for the restoration and refurbishment of Parliament buildings damaged by fire.
“What drives our processes in Parliament are committees. It is therefore important to ensure that committees are adequately resourced and have an insight into the resources they have on an annual basis for better planning,” Didiza said.
As part of engaging the public, Didiza announced that the parliamentary communication services have initiated regular cluster briefings to empower and inform society on the work of various committees of Parliament.
“Our Parliamentary broadcasting services continue to ensure that the public is educated on the work of Parliament through daily broadcasting of committee sessions and plenaries. We are conscious that not all committee rooms are equipped with such facilities. We will ensure that the rebuilding project finally addresses this situation,” Didiza said.
Boost for research and language capacity
In response to capacity of language services concerns raised by Members of Parliament last year, Didiza said Parliament is increasing research and language support services.
She said Parliament is appointing additional researchers and language practitioners to ensure adequate capacity in all sittings of the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces, and specific sessions of committees where this service becomes essential.
“Moreover, our information and communications technology unit are building capabilities to service our members better. We are currently recruiting for a Chief Information Officer.”
Addressing legacy issues
Addressing the legacy issues from previous Parliaments, Didiza said Parliament is actively tracking and upscaling the implementation of recommendations from various reports from various panels and commissions, including the Ad Hoc Committee Report on the Review of Chapter Nine and Associated Institutions, commonly known as the Asmal Report.
Didiza noted that since the start of the 7th Parliament, they have been engaging almost all the relevant institutions regarding the recommendations arising from the Asmal report.
“Although this process is not complete, certain issues have been raised and are common across institutions, such as the entities’ effective reporting to Parliament and the processing of their reports as part of supporting the oversight mechanisms of Parliament. The other relates to the inconsistencies regarding the appointment processes of office bearers in these institutions.
“Another crucial matter from the legacy basket is the output of the High-level Panel on the Assessment of Key Legislation and the Acceleration of Fundamental Change. This was channelled into various committees, and we will follow up with the portfolio committees on progress made,” the Speaker said.
Progress on State of Capture recommendations
Didiza also noted some significant progress made in implementing recommendations from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, including Organs of State also known as the State Capture Report.
Among significant progress includes:
• The electoral reform consultation panel was approved by the National Assembly in 2024
• The Financial Matters Amendment Act
• The General Laws Amendment Act (known as the Anti-money laundering and combating terrorism financing)
• The National Prosecuting Amendment Act
• The Judicial Matters Amendment Act
• The National Small Enterprise Amendment Act
• The Public Procurement Act
• The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act.
Parliament has also set aside R71.2 million for the medical aid contributions of former Members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures. – SAnews.gov.za
