List of committees of the Parliament of South Africa
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The committees of the Parliament of South Africa are appointed to oversee the work of government and to process legislation in domains relevant to their designated portfolio. They are composed of Members of Parliament from either parliamentary chamber. Portfolio committees and most standing committees are peopled by Members of the National Assembly, while select committees comprise Permanent Delegates to the National Council of Provinces; these shadow the work of a particular government department or group of departments. Parliament may also establish joint committees, with members from both houses, and either chamber, alone or jointly, may establish ad hoc committees that operate for a shorter timeframe under a narrower mandate.[1]
Although committees are largely regulated in terms of the Rules of Parliament, the basic framework for their operation derives from Chapter Four of the Constitution of South Africa. The Constitution provides for committees' powers to summon any persons or institutions to provide evidence, for their obligation to provide for public participation in committee activities, and for members' freedom of speech and parliamentary privilege during committee proceedings.[2] In terms of the Constitution, Parliament may not exclude the public or the media from any committee sittings "unless it is reasonable and justifiable to do so in an open and democratic society".[2]
Parliamentary political parties are represented in committees in proportions that are generally representative of their strength in Parliament.[1] Because committee chairpersons are elected by and from among the members of each committee, the majority party in Parliament has the most influence in selecting chairpersons.[3]
National Assembly
Portfolio committees
The portfolio committees of the National Assembly deal with the examining of bills, departmental budget votes, and are responsible for oversight of the work their respective department does.[1] As of 2024, the current portfolio committees and the chairs of each committee are as follows:[4]
Committee | Chair | Responsibility | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Since | |||
Portfolio Committee on Agriculture | Dina Pule | 2024 | Department of Agriculture | |
Portfolio Committee on Basic Education | Joy Maimela | 2024 | Department of Basic Education and statutory entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies | Khusela Sangoni | 2024 | Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and statutory entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration | Zweli Mkhize | 2024 | Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and statutory entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services | Anthea Ramolobeng | 2024 | Department of Correctional Services | |
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans | Molefi Legoete | 2024 | Department of Defence and Military Veterans and statutory entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour | Boyce Makhosonke Maneli | 2024 | Department of Employment and Labour and associated entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy | Queenie Mvana | 2024 | Department of Energy | |
Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries | Nqabisa Gantsho | 2024 | Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and associated entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Health | Sibongiseni Dhlomo | 2024 | Department of Health and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education | Tebogo Letsie | 2024 | Department of Higher Education and Training and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs | Steve Chabane[5] | 2021 | Department of Home Affairs and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements | Albert Mammoga Seabi | 2024 | Department of Human Settlements and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation | Supra Mahumapelo[6] | 2021 | Department of International Relations and Cooperation and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development | Xola Nqola | 2024 | Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development | Albert Mncwango | 2024 | Department of Rural Development and Land Reform | |
Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources | Mikateko Mahlaule | 2024 | Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Police | Ian Cameron | 2024 | Department of Police and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration | Jan de Villiers | 2024 | Department of Public Service and Administration | |
Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation | Teliswa Mgweba | 2024 | Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation | |
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure | Carol Phiri | 2024 | Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and associated entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation | Tsakani Goodness Shiviti | 2024 | Department of Science and Innovation | |
Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development | Masefako Dikgale | 2024 | Department of Small Business Development and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Social Development | Bridget Masango | 2024 | Department of Social Development and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture | Joe McGluwa | 2024 | Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Tourism | Lungi Gcabashe | 2024 | Department of Tourism and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry | Mzwandile Masina | 2024 | Department of Trade and Industry and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Transport | Donald Selamolela | 2024 | Department of Transport and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation | Leon Basson | 2024 | Department of Water and Sanitation and related entities | |
Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities | Lindelwa Dunjwa | 2024 | Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and related entities |
Standing committees
Committee | Chair | ||
---|---|---|---|
Name | Since | ||
Standing Committee on Appropriations | Mmusi Maimane | 2024 | |
Standing Committee on Auditor-General | Wouter Wessels | 2024 | |
Standing Committee on Finance | Joe Maswanganyi[7] | 2019 | |
Standing Committee on Public Accounts | Songezo Zibi | 2024 |
National Council of Provinces
Select committees
Select committees are made up of Permanent Delegates to the National Council of Provinces. Since the National Council of Provinces, is much smaller than the National Assembly, select committees oversee the work of more than one department.[1] As of 2024, the current select committees and chairs of each committee are as follows:[4]
Committee | Chair | Responsibility | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Since | |||
Select Committee on Appropriations | Tidimalo Legwase | 2024 | ||
Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform, and Mineral Resources | Mpho Modise | 2024 | ||
Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration | Mxolisi Kaunda | 2024 | ||
Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade | Sonja Boshoff | 2024 | ||
Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries | Makhi Feni | 2024 | ||
Select Committee on Finance | Sanny Ndhlov | 2024 | National Treasury | |
Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings | Ofentse Mokae | 2024 | ||
Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Ministries in Presidency | Frederik Badenhorst | 2024 | ||
Select Committee on Security and Justice | Jane Mananiso | 2024 | Department of Police, Department of Justice and Correctional Services, Department of Defence and Military Veterans, Department of Home Affairs and Department of International Relations and Cooperation | |
Select Committee on Social Services | Desery Fienies | 2024 |
Joint committees
Joint committees
A joint committee consists of members of Parliament from both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.[1]
Committee | Chairs | Responsibility | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Since | |||
Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interest | Lydia Moshodi Bheki Nkosi[7] | 2019 | Ethical conduct of MPs and their financial disclosures |
Joint standing committees
Committee | Chair | ||
---|---|---|---|
Name | Since | ||
Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament | Peace Mabe Dikeledi Mahlangu[7] | 2019 | |
Joint Standing Committee on Defence | Elleck Nchabeleng Cyril Xaba[7] | 2019 | |
Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence | Jerome Maake[7] | 2019 |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Role of Parliamentary Committees". Parliament of South Africa. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ a b "The SA Constitution". Department of Justice. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "A Note to the Sixth Parliament: The critical role of Committee Chairperson". Parliamentary Monitoring Group. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ a b c "Committee Chairpersons". Parliament of South Africa. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Election of Chairperson; DHA & SITA on war on queues and chronic network downtimes at DHA offices | PMG". pmg.org.za. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
- ^ "Election of Chairperson | PMG". pmg.org.za. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
- ^ a b c d e "Committee Chairpersons". Parliament of South Africa. Retrieved 2 February 2021.