The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Parliament says it’s opposed to the election of the leader of Rise Mzansi, Songezo Zibi as the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA).
The African National Congress (ANC) nominated Zibi for the position which was generally reserved for opposition parties.
EFF MP Ntombovuyo Mente says they are not opposed to Zibi as an individual.
But she insists that Rise Mzansi is not an opposition party because it is part of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“We are also rejecting this not because we are rejecting you as a person, but we reject the principle. The convention of this Parliament has been that opposition must chair SCOPA. And as things stand, given the 29th May outcomes and the decisions afterwards, this country will be governed with the government of national unit which your party is part of.”
“We do not consider your party as an opposition. We consider it as government. And therefore, on those bases we do not agree that you should be the one that is chairing,” adds Mente.
Parliament says it has not yet decided when it will be able to establish portfolio committees required to hold the different ministers accountable to their duties and oath of office.
Parliamentary committees are created in line with government ministries to fulfill the institution’s oversight role.
Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says although the National Assembly (NA) will have a plenary sitting tomorrow, there is no clarity yet on when Portfolio Committees for the NA will be formed.
Mothapo says, “The National Assembly on the other hand will also hold a plenary sitting on Tuesday at two o’clock to revive the Appropriation Bill, elect house chairpersons for the house and to elect members to represent the National Assembly at the Pan-African Parliament, the SADC Parliamentary Forum and the JSC.”
“The plenary sitting will take place at the Century City Conference Centre where the induction will be taking place. The formation of the committee structures will be constituted or will be finalised in due course.”
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National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane says members of Parliament sitting in the NCOP will be allowed to attend the opening of provincial Parliaments in their respective provinces.
She says this permission will be catered for even if the provincial openings of Parliaments coincide with the work of the NCOP.
Mtsweni-Tsipane says, “Normally the usual trend or the tradition would then be, the President would start by delivering the State of the Nation Address and the provinces after that will then follow suit, but in this instance, it’s a different ball. This is one of its kind, which then clashes with the program that was already set. Obviously, if the house in KZN would prefer to go and attend SOPA, and with the opening of the house by the monarch, I don’t think it will be a problem. We will certainly release you.”
The Rules Committee of the National Assembly has resolved that the composition of portfolio committees must be increased to 15 members.
During the sixth Parliament, all committees were made up of 11 members.
But, senior officials of the institution have proposed that each committee must be increased up to 15 MPs.
However, it was also decided that the matter will be deferred to the sub rules committee to make further input before a final adoption. Secretary to the National Assembly Masibulele Xaso cited the increase of the political parties represented in Parliament after the election from 14 to 18 as the reason.
“Members will be aware that a number of parties have increase and therefore we are proposing that the size of committees also be increased or the composition of committee be increase. In that regard we are proposing the number be increased to 15 members from 11 and that the ANC will have five, the DA three and the MK two, EFF one and other parties combined four. In regard to configuration as Madam Speaker has indicated, we are not proposing, we venture into that space until the cabinet is appointed.”
Some opposition parties in Parliament, that are not part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), want the establishment of an oversight committee to scrutinize the work of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
They say this was a demand made during the sixth administration of Parliament.
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) member of Parliament Steve Swart says this will also comply with the recommendations of the state capture commission under Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
“The ACDP supported the calls for the establishment for a specific Parliamentary Portfolio Committee tasked with oversight of the Presidency. This was in line with one of the recommendations of Chief Justice Zondo in his state capture report. We believe there is such a need for greater such oversight given the advent of the GNU in this seventh Parliament. The DG should regularly account to Parliament like all other DGs, for all the funds spent in the Presidency.”
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) says it also supports the calls for the establishment of a committee to scrutinize the work of Ramaphosa.
It says this will enhance the constitutional imperatives of accountability over the executive.
Spokesperson Mxolisi Makhubo elaborates, “The African Transformation Movement as a part that stands for accountability and was instrumental in the unmasking of corruption and the flouting of the law specifically related to the sixth administration, will be calling and firmly supporting the establishment of an oversight committee dedicated for the monitoring and evaluating the decisions of the Presidency in South Africa. We believe that this call is not only timely but it is also essential for the processes of our democratic processes and the strengthening of our nation’s government.”
Meanwhile, Al Jamah-ah says there is no need for a separate Parliamentary Committee to oversee the Presidency. Al Jamah-ah leader Ganief Hendricks says this is not necessary given the powers Ramaphosa has over the various cabinet ministers who account to Parliament.
“Our constitution gives the President the tremendous powers, he can appoint the executive consisting of cabinet ministers, deputy cabinet ministers and he has the final say and I don’t think that an oversight Committee of Parliament to oversee the work of the President is appropriate in the light of the tremendous powers that the President has in terms of the constitution. Also, the President has further powers in that he has the final say in regard to the different committees established to examine the matters before the Presidency.”
