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Questions to the President in the National Assembly (NA), the Executive Statement by the Minister of Transport, and the debate in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on World Food Day and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty will take centre stage as term four of the parliamentary programme resumes this week.
 
President Cyril Ramaphosa will appear before the NA on Thursday at 14:00 for a Questions for Oral Reply session. Oral question sessions with the President are scheduled at least once a quarter.
 
On Tuesday at 14:00, the Social Services Cluster 2D Ministers will appear before permanent delegates to the NCOP in a hybrid question-and-answer plenary session. Cluster 2D comprises the national Sports, Arts, and Culture and Science, Technology, and Innovation departments.
 
As stipulated in section 92(2) of the Constitution, oral question-and-answer sessions are among the methods Parliament employs to hold the executive accountable. Members of the Executive (the President, Deputy President, and Cabinet Ministers) are collectively and individually accountable to Parliament for exercising their powers and performing their functions.
 
This week, the National Assembly will consider the Budget Reviews and Recommendations Reports (BRRR) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Parliament’s BRRR practice provides an opportunity for an in-depth assessment of the national government departments’ service delivery performances, which may include recommendations on the future use of resources.
The BRRR is a crucial oversight mechanism and enables portfolio committees to integrate and consolidate budgetary oversight with other oversight work related to service delivery.
 
On Wednesday at 14:00, the NCOP plenary will convene a ministerial briefing session with the Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy, on the provision of safe, reliable, effective, efficient, and fully integrated transport operations and infrastructure that meets the needs of freight and passenger customers, improving levels of service and cost in a fashion that supports government strategies for economic and social development.
 
The ministerial briefing will be followed by a debate on World Food Day and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, with the theme: “United in Action to address the impacts of persistent poverty and hunger.”
 
The NA will hold its Programming Committee meeting at 08:30 on Thursday. The agenda includes planning for the House’s business, considering committee reports, bills before the House, and the upcoming parliamentary programme.
 
The Parliamentary Budget Office, in collaboration with the Multi-dimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN), will hold a two-day roundtable discussion to enhance capacity and foster dialogue on high-impact policies and effective strategies to alleviate poverty in all its forms using the Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI). The roundtable discussion offers a vital opportunity for exchange and learning on multi-dimensional poverty among experts and leading voices from governments and international agencies.
 
There are 47 committee meetings scheduled from Tuesday until Friday for this week, as outlined below:
 
TUESDAY, 15 OCTOBER
 
Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Briefing by the Water Research Commission, Inkomati-Usuthu and Breede-Gouritz Catchment Agencies on Annual Reports for 2023/24 financial year, emphasising the financial and non-financial performance. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00
 
Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Briefing by the National Skills Fund (NSF) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on developments concerning: Update on the Annual Report 2022/23 NSFAS and NSF 2023/24; Performance of the entities; Update on the investigations conducted by the SIU on NSFAS and NSF. Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-14:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, Consideration and adoption of draft committee minutes (17 and 20 September 2024); Report back by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture on the plan of action regarding Boxing South Africa; Briefing by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture on the 2024/25 1st Quarter Performance Report; Briefing by the Auditor-General of South Africa on the audit outcomes of the department and its entities; Briefing by the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) on its Annual Report. Committee Room 2, Upper Ground Floor, 90 Plein Street Building, Parliament, 09:00-17:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Briefing by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on the audit outcomes of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) for the 2023-24; Briefing by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on its 2023/24 Annual Report and financial statements. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-18:00

Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Briefing by the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa on the audit outcomes of the 2023/24 Annual Reports of the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and its entities; Briefing on the 2023/24 Annual Reports by Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG); Department of Traditional Affairs (DTA) and Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA). Committee Room M514, 5th Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-19:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Briefing by the Office of the Auditor-General on audit outcomes of the Environmental Portfolio for the 2023/24 financial year; Briefing by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment including the Marine Living Resources Fund on their Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2023/24 financial year. Taj Hotel, Cape Town, 09:00-16:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Briefing by the Office of the Auditor-General on audit outcomes of the Environmental Portfolio for the 2023/24 financial year; Briefing by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment including the Marine Living Resources Fund on their Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2023/24 financial year. Venue to be confirmed, 17:00-20:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Briefing by the Special Investigating Unit on Annual Report, performance, and spending for the first and second quarters 2024/2025 and forward funding proposals (2025 MTEF). SALGA Towers, Cape Town, 09:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Briefing by the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services on 2023/24 Annual Report. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, Briefing by the National Research Foundation (NRF) on 2023/24 Annual Report; Briefing by the Department of Science Technology and Innovation. Public Service Commission (PSC) Boardroom, 21st Floor, Golden Acre Mall, 9 Adderley Street, Cape Town, 09:30-12:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, Briefing by the DTIC on the status of trade relations and ongoing trade negotiations; Briefing by the DTIC on the developments at SEZs and Industrial Parks. Committee Room M515, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00
 
Joint Meeting: Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development, Joint Briefing on the 2023/24 Annual Reports in preparation for Budget Review and Recommendation Report (BRRR) by the Auditor-General South Africa and Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. Castle of Good Hope Boardroom, corner of Darling Street and Buitenkant Street, Cape Town, 09:30-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Briefing on the 2023/24 Annual Reports in preparation for the BRRR by the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC); Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). Committee Room 1, Upper Ground Floor, 90 Plein Street Building, Parliament, 14:00-17:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Transport, Briefing by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on the 2023/24 Annual Report of the Department of Transport; 11:00-13:00: Briefing by the Department of Transport on its 2023/24 Annual Report; 13:45-15:00: Briefing by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on the 2023/24 Annual Report of Transnet. Committee Room S26, First Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 09:30-17:00
 
Joint Meeting: Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources and Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, Briefing by Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) on the outcomes of DMRE Annual Report and its entities for the 2023/24 financial year; Briefing by Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), including Mine and Health Safety Inspectorate on their respective Annual Reports for 2023/2024 Financial Year. Committee Room M314, 3rd Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-17:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Briefing by the Finance and Fiscal Commission (FFC) on expenditure patterns in respect of Infrastructure (ASIDI); expenditure patterns in respect of conditional grants (e.g. MST); and equity in education (including budget allocations to schools; Briefing by DBE Internal Audit Committee on Audit Outcomes for the Department of Basic Education. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-18:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Health, Briefing by the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) on the Health Sector (National and Provincial Departments of Health and entities); Briefing by the Auditor-General of South Africa on the audit outcomes of the Health Sector; Briefing by the Medical Research Council (MRC) on their annual report for the 2023/24 financial year. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-18:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Tourism, Briefing by South African Tourism on the annual report and financial statements for the 2023/24 financial year. SALGA Towers, 16th Floor, 2 Heerengracht, Cnr Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town, 10:00
 
Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, Consideration and adoption of outstanding Draft Minutes; Briefing by the Department of Basic Education and National Treasury on the following: Budget shortfalls for teachers in the different provinces; Data on number of unemployed teachers and Funza Lushaka Bursary Holders teachers emigrating to other countries. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-12:30
 
Standing Committee on Appropriations, Briefing by National Treasury on the First Quarter Expenditure Report for the 2024/25 financial year focusing on national departments and state-owned entities/companies. Committee Room M201, Second Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 10:00-12:45
 
Select Committee on Finance, Briefing by provincial treasuries (Limpopo, KZN and Mpumalanga) on their quarterly reports. Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 10:00-14:00
 
Standing Committee on Finance, Workshop with the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on the following: Mandate of the AGSA; Audit trend outcomes of the last five years; Key outstanding governance issues of the department from the 6th administration. FFC Boardroom, 11th Floor, 33 Heerengracht, Foreshore, Cape Town, 10:00-15:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Briefing by the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) of the Commission for Gender Equality and Audit and Risk Committee of the National Youth Development Agency on Annual Report for 2023/24 and on Q1 performance for 2024/25; Briefing by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). Good Hope Chamber, Ground Floor, Good Hope Building, Parliament, 10:00-16:30
 
WEDNESDAY, 16 OCTOBER
 
Standing Committee on Appropriations, Briefing by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer on the requests for contract deviations and expansions during the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. Committee Room M314, Third Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-12:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Police, Consideration of the 2023/24 Annual Reports of the DPCI Judge, DNA Board; Briefing by CSPS on Draft National Policing Policy. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-12:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Presentation by South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) on its programmes, research studies and findings, funding and resources; Presentation by the Western Cape Provincial Substance Abuse Forum on its implementation of the National Drug Master Plan (2019-2024). Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00
 
Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Hearing with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) following briefings from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on the following issues: Amended accounting policy; Financial performance of the entity; Vetting of executives; Ongoing investigations. Committee Room M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-14:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, Briefing by the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA), National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA), National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI), and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel, 23 Strand Street, Cape Town City Centre, 09:00-17:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Briefing by the National Skills Fund (NSF) and MERSETA on Annual Report 2023/24; Briefing by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and Safety and Security SETA on their Annual Report 2022/23. Committee Room M201, Second Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:00-18:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, Briefing by the Department of Employment and Labour on the 2023/24 Annual Report of Nedlac and Productivity SA. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, Consideration and adoption of the Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report; Consideration and adoption of the 4th Quarter Report. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-12:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, Engagement with National Treasury on the issues relating to the NLC; Committee business; Consideration of minutes; Consideration of first draft of the Committee’s report on the DTIC’s 2023/24 fourth quarter performance report. Committee Room M515, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development, Briefing by the following entities on their Annual Reports: Commission on Restitution of Land Rights; Ingonyama Trust Board; Office of the Valuer-General. NSFAS Offices, Halyard Building, 16th Floor, Christiaan Barnard Street, Cape Town, 09:30-16:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Briefing by the Office of the Auditor-General South Africa on Findings and Audit Outcomes of Financial and Non-financial Performance of the Department of Human Settlements and its Entities for the 2023/24 Financial Year; (11:00-13:00) Briefing by Department of Human Settlements on its Annual Report – financial and non-financial performance for 2023/24 financial year. Committee Room S35, First Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 09:30- 17:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Health, Briefing by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) on their annual report for the 2023/24 financial year; Briefing by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) on their annual report for the 2023/24 financial year; Briefing by the Office of the Health Ombud (OHO) on their annual report for 2023/24. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-18:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Briefing by CCB on its 2023/24 Annual Report and responses to the AGSA audit outcomes; Briefing by DMV on its 2023/24 Annual Report and responses to the AGSA audit outcomes. Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 10:00-13:00
 
Select Committee on Appropriations, Briefing by National Treasury on Conditional Grants Expenditure reports. FFC Boardroom, 11th Floor, 33 Heerengracht, Foreshore, Cape Town, 10:00-13:00
 
Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Briefing by Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on overview of audit outcomes for the Compensation Fund (CF) for the 2023/24 financial year; Briefing on logistical arrangements for joint Free State oversight visit. Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00
 
Select Committee on Security and Justice, Briefing by the Auditor-General on the mandate of the AGSA; the culture shift strategy; and the 2023/24 audit outcomes of the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority. NSFAS Venue, The Halyard No. 4, Christiaan Barnard Street, Cape Town, 10:00-13:00
 
Standing Committee on Finance, Briefing by National Treasury on their annual report. FFC Boardroom, 11th Floor, 33 Heerengracht, Foreshore, Cape Town 10:00-13:00
 
Standing Committee on Finance, Briefing on the FFC remuneration referral and consideration and adoption of the committee report thereon (annual referral on the determination by the President of salary increases for Chapter 9 institutions). FFC Boardroom, 11th Floor, 33 Heerengracht, Foreshore, Cape Town, 13:00-14:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Briefing by the Department of Public Service and Administration and Centre for Public Service Innovation on the annual reports for the 2023/24 financial year; Progress report on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the budget reports 2024/25 financial year for the DPSA, NSG and CPSI. Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 10:00- 17:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Briefing by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on the Annual Report (BRRR); Briefing by Umalusi on Annual Report (BRRR); Briefing by SACE on Annual Report (BRRR). Virtual Meeting Platform, 13:00-20:00
 
FRIDAY, 18 OCTOBER
 
Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Briefing by the Human Settlements Entities on the Annual Report - financial and non-financial performance for the 2023/24 financial year and audit outcomes for the 2023/24 financial year of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA); Housing Development Agency (HDA); Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA); and Community Schemes Ombud Services (CSOS). Committee Room M514, Fifth Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-14:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Health, Briefing by the Department of Health on their annual report for the 2023/24 financial year. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-12:30
 
Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Briefing by Mintek, Council for Geosciences (CGS), State Diamond Trader (SDT), South African Diamond and Precious Metals (SADPMR), and CEF Group on Annual Report for the 2023/24 financial year. Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30- 19:00
 
Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, Briefing by the South African Institute for Drug-free Sport (SAIDS) on the Annual Report and a report on the suspension of the Bloemfontein anti-doping laboratory accreditation; Briefing by Basketball South Africa on their Annual Report; and report back on the U18 African Championship tournament and challenges associated with it; Briefing by the New Love Life Trust (Love Life) on the Annual Report and their role in promoting sport and recreation as well as a healthy lifestyle. Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 10:00-16:30.

Issued by Parliament