Actions on recommendations

To ensure that Parliament is sufficiently resourced to hold the Executive to account, the National Treasury will engage with Parliament to determine the most appropriate way to give effect to the Commission’s recommendations on the funding of Parliament.

Progress as at November 2023

Parliament is in ongoing consultations with National Treasury for more resources in fulfilment of its constitutional mandate.

Actions on recommendations

The Leader of Government Business will interact with Parliament’s Presiding Officers on the recommendations that relate to the interface between Parliament and the Executive.

Progress as at November 2023

Parliament’s Rules Committee acknowledged that the Sixth Parliament had taken steps to facilitate co-operation between Parliament and the Executive. The Committee concluded that there was no need for additional legislation or rules.

Actions on recommendations

The Leader of Government Business will interact with Parliament’s Presiding Officers on the recommendations that relate to the interface between Parliament and the Executive.

Progress as at November 2023

At present, most committees have a “recommendation tracking tool” in place to follow up on actions to be taken by the executive. The Houses,too, have manual systems in place and an e-system is being piloted. This matter is also part of the Annual Performance Plan of the institution.

Actions on recommendations

The Leader of Government Business will interact with Parliament’s Presiding Officers on the recommendations that relate to the interface between Parliament and the Executive.

Progress as at November 2023

Parliament undertook research on international practices and specifically whether other countries had comparable laws. The research found that, from the 12 countries surveyed, none had statutes. Parliament’s Rules Committee agreed that, as a general point, legislation would not necessarily serve to address all the challenges identified by the State Capture Commission.

Actions on recommendations

To ensure that Parliament is sufficiently resourced to hold the Executive to account, the National Treasury will engage with Parliament to determine the most appropriate way to give effect to the Commission’s recommendations on the funding of Parliament.

Progress as at November 2023

In the last 12 months, 10 content advisers supporting 10 committees have been appointed, 3 in the process of being appointed; 4 legal advisers to increase drafting and related capacity have since been appointed, 3 more are in the process of being appointed. 5 researchers have been appointed, recruitment for 11 researchers is underway. All critical appointments aimed at addressing capacity constraints are being made.

Actions on recommendations

The Leader of Government Business will interact with Parliament’s Presiding Officers on the recommendations that relate to the interface between Parliament and the Executive.

Progress as at November 2023

Parliament’s Rules Committee determined that there is no need for legislation in this regard. Instead, it agreed on parameters for guidelines on managing this exercise.

Actions on recommendations

Parliament is developing its own response to the Commission.

Progress as at November 2023

Parliament’s Rules Committee did not agree with the view expressed by the State Capture Commission that parliamentary oversight may be better served if more chairpersons were elected from minority parties but reiterated that Section 57 of the Constitution (1996) empowered the Assembly to determine its internal arrangements, proceedings and procedures.

Actions on recommendations

The Leader of Government Business will interact with Parliament’s Presiding Officers on the recommendations that relate to the interface between Parliament and the Executive.

Progress as at November 2023

Parliament’s Rules Committee concluded that there was no need for additional legislation or rules. The Committee also noted that the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act already made it an offence for persons to refuse to appear before Parliament. As an example, in the past 12 months a Minister was summoned for not appearing before the Committee on Tourism.

Actions on recommendations

The Leader of Government Business will interact with Parliament’s Presiding Officers on the recommendations that relate to the interface between Parliament and the Executive.

Progress as at November 2023

Parliament’s Rules Committee noted that the option of legislative review may not resolve the challenges alluded to by the State Capture Commission. Moreover, there were already laws and best practices concerning the selection of certain office-bearers and that all appointments must be based on merit. Best practices already developed by Parliament should be maintained.

Actions on recommendations

The Leader of Government Business will interact with Parliament’s Presiding Officers on the recommendations that relate to the interface between Parliament and the Executive.

Progress as at November 2023

The matter of oversight monitoring, tracking and advisory is currently receiving attention, with the focus being on capacity more than on establishing new structures.

Actions on recommendations

The Leader of Government Business will interact with Parliament’s Presiding Officers on the recommendations that relate to the interface between Parliament and the Executive.

Progress as at November 2023

Parliament’s Rules Committee resolved that the matter be considered as work in progress. The Committee further agreed that the desk-top research conducted by the Parliamentary Budget Office should be complemented with a fact-finding visit with a view to exploring international best practice in respect of the matter. In so doing, a firm foundation could be laid for the Seventh Parliament.