By Phenyo Selinda
PRETORIA – The Rules Committee of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has made significant strides in shaping the framework of the seventh Parliament by appointing members to form the Select Committees, Subcommittee on the Review of the Council Rules, and the Programming Committee. These decisions were finalised during their inaugural meeting on Wednesday.
Streamlined Committee Structure
A notable change introduced by the Rules Committee is the reduction in the number of Select Committees from 11 in the sixth Parliament to 10. “These Select Committees are the engine room of the NCOP, as they are responsible for overseeing the performance of various government departments. Select committees are also crucial in ensuring consistent focus on provincial issues,” the Committee stated.
The Committee’s decision to streamline the number of Select Committees aims to enhance efficiency and ensure dedicated attention to provincial matters. The Social Cluster, in particular, has been restructured, now operating with two dedicated committees:
- Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture: This committee will oversee departments including Basic Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Communications and Digital Technologies, and Sports, Arts and Culture.
- Select Committee on Social Services: This committee is assigned to oversee the Departments of Health, Social Development, Women, Youth Development and Persons with Disabilities, and Statistics South Africa.
Cluster Integration and Oversight
The Governance Cluster will also see an integration of oversight responsibilities:
- Select Committee on Public Infrastructure: Tasked with supervising the work of departments such as Public Works and Infrastructure, Transport, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration: This committee will oversee the Departments of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Public Service and Administration, Human Settlements, and Water and Sanitation.
Security and Economic Clusters will continue their vital functions through the following divisions:
- Select Committee on Security and Justice: Overseeing the Departments of Police, Justice and Correctional Services, Defence and Military Veterans, Home Affairs, State Security, and International Relations and Co-operation.
- Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings: Focused on matters of public petitions and executive undertakings.
- Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade: Overseeing Departments of Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Competition, Small Business Development and Tourism, Employment and Labour, and Public Enterprises.
- Select Committee on Land and Mineral Resources: Supervising the Departments of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Mineral Resources and Energy, and Electricity.
Financial Oversight Committees
The Finance Cluster remains pivotal with two key committees:
- Select Committee on Finance: Oversighting the National Treasury.
- Select Committee on Appropriations: Also focused on Treasury-related matters.
Upcoming Elections for Key NCOP Positions
In tandem with the committee structuring, the Rules Committee has scheduled elections to fill four notable NCOP vacancies. Elections for Permanent Deputy Chairperson, House Chairperson for Committees, House Chairperson for Members Support and International Relations, and Programming Whip of the NCOP will occur on Tuesday, 2 July 2024.
Inclusive Representation in the Rules Committee
The Rules Committee is composed of 20 Council members, including notable figures like Permanent Deputy Chairperson, NCOP Chief Whip Kenneth Mmoiemang, House Chairpersons, and others. The Committee ensures diverse representation, including members from parties without provincial whips such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP), Patriotic Alliance (PA), and the United Democratic Alliance (UDM).
Subcommittee and Programming Committee
The Committee underscored the importance of NCOP Rule 137, allowing the establishment of a Subcommittee to make recommendations on Council Rules and procedures. This five-member Subcommittee consists of members from the ruling and opposition parties, including the NCOP Chairperson and Chief Whip.
Concurrently, the NCOP Programming Committee mirrors the membership of the Rules Committee, ensuring consistent governance and procedural integrity.
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