/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Questions to Deputy President David Mabuza, Public hearings on the Expropriation Bill, plenary sittings of the National Council of Provinces and National Assembly and Women's Parliament are among agenda items featuring in Parliament's programme this week. 
 
Public hearings on the Expropriation Bill of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure resumed in the Northern Cape yesterday. The committee had earlier this year deferred the physical public participation process due to concerns relating to the high rate of Covid-19 infections in both Northern Cape and Free State provinces. The Bill seeks to repeal the existing Expropriation Act of 1975 by providing a common framework in line with the democratic Constitution to guide the processes and procedures for the expropriation of property. Today's hearing starts at 10:00 at the Tol Speelman Hall, Upington. On Monday, the hearings move to Khathu City hall and Kimberly on Tuesday.
 
The National Council of Provinces has three plenary sittings planned this week. Tuesday's sittings starting at 10:00 will feature a Ministerial Briefing themed: "Interventions to address youth unemployment and poverty" while Wednesday's theme is "Peace, stability and rebuilding beyond the public violence, looting and destruction of property". The sitting will start at 2 pm. 
 
On Thursday, at 2 pm, an oral questions session with Deputy President David Mabuza is scheduled.
 
Holding regular question and answer sessions is one of the many ways Parliament holds the President and the Executive to account, as provided by section 92(2) of the Constitution. The Deputy President's Questions for Oral Reply are scheduled at least once a quarter during session time within Parliament's annual programme. 
 
Meanwhile, the National Assembly has also scheduled three hybrid plenary sittings. Tuesday and Wednesday's sittings will consider oversight committee reports on the recent unrests and public violence in Kwa Zulu-Natal and Gauteng. Thursday's sitting will focus on various portfolio committee reports.
 
Parliament's constitutional mandate requires that it provides meaningful opportunities and platforms for the involvement of the people in its legislative and other processes. Thus, Parliament is committed to creating engagement platforms where the public can participate and share policy perspectives and ideas to enhance service delivery.
 
A hybrid Women's Parliament under the theme "Advancing Gender Equality, Through Inclusive Economic Growth and the precepts of a Capable Developmental State", is scheduled for Friday at 10:00. The session will serve as a reflection of progress made in implementing the 2020 Women's Parliament Undertakings. These include interventions initiated to respond to the scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide and the Economic Exclusion of women. The gendered impact on the Covid-19 pandemic and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan analysis will also feature highly on the agenda.
 
About 46 Committee meetings are scheduled this week and are as follows:
 
TUESDAY, 24 AUGUST 2021 
Standing Committee on Finance: Discussion on the Pension Funds Amendment Bill [B30 – 2020];
Portfolio Committee on Transport: Deliberations on the Economic Regulation of Transport Bill [B 1 – 2020]; Consideration and adoption of minutes of proceedings;
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry: Briefing by the DTIC, the IDC and the NEF on economic recovery support interventions; Briefing on the mandate, function and operation of SASRIA;
Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development: Motion of Desirability and further deliberations on the Sectional Titles Amendment Bill;
Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: Briefing by the Commission for Gender Equality on 4th quarterly report for 2020/21 and 1st quarterly report for 2021/22; Consideration and adoption of minutes;
Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Hearing on DENEL SIU investigations;
Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy:Continuation of consideration of Negotiating Mandate on the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill [B14D – 2017] (s76);
Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements: Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs responses to Negotiating Mandates on Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Bill [B2B - 2019];
Portfolio Committee on Communications’ Subcommittee on the appointment of a member of the SABC Board: Consideration and adoption of Subcommittee Programme;

WEDNESDAY, 25 AUGUST 2021 
Standing Committee on Finance: Discussion on the Fiscal Responsibility Bill [B5 – 2020];
Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour: Clause-by-clause consideration of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases and the Employment Equity Amendment Bills;
Portfolio Committee on Transport: Deliberations on the Economic Regulation of Transport Bill [B 1 – 2020]; Briefing on the Transport Appeal Tribunal Bill [B 8 – 2020]; Motion of desirability on the Transport Appeal Tribunal Bill;
Select Committee on Appropriations: Briefing by Financial and Fiscal Commission on Submission for the 2022/23 Division of Revenue;
Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Minerals Council of SA on the involvement of the mining industry in the vaccine rollout], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sport, Arts and Culture: Update by the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) on the Impact and Status of Covid-19 and Lockdown on schooling: Western Cape (presentation to include information on access in schooling in the Province and matters related thereto), Free State and Eastern Cape Education Departments;
Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure: Briefing by the Department of Transport on the Civil Aviation Amendment Bill [B 44B - 2018]; Briefing on the impact of transport operations and recovery plans thereof, after the aftermath of the recent violence unrest in Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng [Department of Transport];
Multi-Party Women’s Caucus (Steering Committee): Gender-based Violence and Femicide Support Fund briefing; National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence: Lead departments’ report-back on the implementation of Pillar 1: Accountability, Coordination and Leadership.

THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST 2021 
Joint Standing Committee on Defence: Briefing by the NCACC on its 1ST Term Quarterly Reports; Update from NCACC on all ongoing investigations related to suspected contravention of end-user certificates and /or the NCACC Act; Application backlog – total and value and knock-on effect on Defence Industry etc.; Progress report on the proposed amendment of the NCACC Act; Consideration and adoption of outstanding minutes.
For the latest full schedule of committee meetings (updated regularly) please click:
https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/Docs/zlist/20679d84-1f76-4e17-8a47-cbc67f3e28cb.pdf
 
 

Issued by Parliament of South Africa