Latest news with #PortfolioCommittee
Zawya
16 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Committee on Sports Summons South African Football Association (SAFA) to Round Two of Discussions After Many Unanswered Question
The Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture will invite to Parliament the South African Football Association (SAFA) in its quest to get the governance and finances of the association back on solid ground. SAFA appeared before the committee on Tuesday where it informed the committee that its finances were not sound and that they were working on challenges. The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Joe McGluwa, said the serious issues that confronted the association necessitate that there be a follow up meeting. 'We need a way forward to pull SAFA from the financial stress it is in. It concerns the committee that a lot of crucial details to many issues at SAFA are being withheld from Members. Importantly, we could not find a sense that issues were being dealt with proactively.' Mr McGluwa said it worried the committee that SAFA lacked cogent programmes a challenge which has seen many aspiring footballers leave other provinces mainly to concentrate in Johannesburg. Among the many challenges that the committee was informed included the lack of sponsors, salary disparities related to national coaches, lack of consequence management, lack of budget with such consequence as having liabilities far exceed assets, etc. Mr McGluwa said the inability to generate revenue for the national association was worrisome and could spell disaster for provinces and regions of SAFA as many tournaments had been staged without any form of support. 'SAFA is not sustainable; SAFA cannot run its operations. This is the elephant in the room that all football loving people need to sort the mess out,' added Mr McGluwa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Zawya
16 hours ago
- General
- Zawya
Home Affairs Committee Makes Decisions on Interest of Justice Criterion and Other Matters Contained in Immigration Amendment Bill
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs yesterday made concrete decisions on various contentious issues within the Immigration Amendment Bill, including the acceptable location to codify the interest of justice criterion of the Bill. This brings the Bill closer to completion to bring it in line with Constitutional Court judgements. The committee has resolved that the interest of justice criterion that guides immigration officials in making detention decisions for undocumented immigrants will now be codified in the Bill's regulations. Despite various views on the matter, the decision was premised on the view that the department's standard operating procedure are inaccessible to the public and can be amended without stakeholder interaction. Also, the committee was of the view that codifying it in the regulations would enable oversight accountability by Parliament. Meanwhile, the committee has resolved that the Bill directly and adequately addresses the unconstitutional provisions identified by the Constitutional Court and, at this juncture, will be ideal to remedy those defects. As a result, the committee has decided that some of the recommendations identified by the stakeholders during the public participation process, including the protection of the rights of immigrant children, should be deferred to the ongoing process to review of the White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection. 'The committee reiterates its view that the White Paper is even more urgent now to ensure policy certainty on immigration issues, hence its call for the department to expedite its processing. To avoid a piecemeal approach to legislation development, the White Paper should provide a clear framework of the migration system in the country. As a result of the committee's decision, which consequently requires the amendment of Section 7 of the principal Act and is not in the Bill, the committee will write to the National Assembly in line with NA Rules 286 (4)(c) to seek permission to amend a section of the principal Act that is not in the Bill. The Parliamentary Legal Unit, together with the Office of the State Law Advisor, have been mandated to draft the A list of the Bill reflective of the committee's resolutions. The A list will be considered in the scheduled meeting on 10 June 2025. The committee remains committed to concluding the process and ensuring the closure of gaps identified by the Constitutional Court judgement. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
Portfolio Committee to interrogate private security regulator over procurement allegations
Portfolio Committee set to hold PSIRA accountable for alleged procurement fraud Image: File The Portfolio Committee on Police is set to engage with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) in the wake of serious allegations surrounding impropriety and fraud linked to the procurement process of PSiRA's knowledge management system (KMS). These allegations suggest potential misconduct involving senior officials within the authority, raising concerns over the integrity of public procurement processes. The committee has highlighted the importance of this meeting, viewing it as a critical step in ensuring transparency and integrity in an industry that plays a vital role in public safety. PSiRA, which oversees a multibillion-rand private security sector, is under scrutiny not just for its financial practices, but also for its operational transparency. Any negligence in ethical standards or unlawful practices within the regulatory body could have far-reaching implications, undermining the safety delivered by the private security sector and eroding the confidence of the citizens it aims to protect. The allegations specifically point to the manipulation of the KMS contract, leading to the apparent failure of internal safeguards that are designed to comply with public finance legislation. Such a lapse raises urgent questions about the governance and oversight mechanisms currently in place at PSiRA. In its oversight role, the committee is firmly committed to ensuring that accountability measures are enforced. The engagement with PSiRA represents a vital opportunity for the authority to address these serious claims and reaffirm its commitment to ethical governance. IOL
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
Concerns raised over proposed fund to help poor awaiting-trial prisoners
Portfolio Committee raises concerns over community readiness for proposed bail fund Image: File The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has raised concerns about the potential implementation of a Bail Fund for South Africa. Introduced by the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS), the Bail Fund is designed to assist those awaiting trial who have been granted bail, yet face financial barriers preventing their release. Currently, 2,613 detainees or "prisoners of poverty" who have been approved for bail set at less than R1,000 but are unable to pay. Committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, said broader public engagement was necessary before any further steps are taken. During the session on Tuesday, JICS revealed plans for a pilot project, likely to be launched in the Western Cape, aimed at assessing the operational viability of such a fund. However, it was indicated that individuals charged with certain serious crimes, such as gender-based violence, would be excluded from benefiting from the fund. The initiative intends to support only those defendants identified by the courts as non-threatening, who have a reliable home address, and pose no risk to public safety or state witnesses while out on bail. Ramolobeng acknowledged that while there is consensus on the need for the fund, committee members are wary of community sentiments towards reintegrating awaiting trial offenders, expressing that many community members harbour fears of re-offending. "During our recent oversight visits to correctional facilities, we observed numerous detainees, including juveniles, who had low bail amounts set. Upon inquiry, families often refused to pay even these small sums, believing that the youths stirred trouble in their communities," she explained. An essential aspect of the discussion was the plan for monitoring those released on bail. Concerns were raised about how re-offending would be tracked, as well as the implications should bail money be forfeited if families are unable to pay or if offenders violate their bail conditions. Ramolobeng noted that "the committee is keen to understand how JICS will ensure compliance and prevent further offences while released on bail." The committee encouraged JICS to continue collaborating with key partners, including the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Ramolobengsaid the committee will monitor this space and engage JICS and other stakeholders once it has sight of a more comprehensive plan. IOL
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Committee Raises Alarm Over Staffing at Public Works and Infrastructure Department
The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has expressed grave concern over the worsening human resource challenges at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE). During a briefing by the department on its recruitment, vacancy filling and staff retention strategies, the committee noted with alarm that the current vacancy rate stands at 14%, significantly above the acceptable 10% threshold, and continues to rise. The committee said if this situation continues, it could undermine service delivery, delay infrastructure projects, and contribute to low staff morale. The committee noted the continued failure to fill critical senior management positions, including deputy directors-general, head of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and executive for supply chain management. The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Carol Phiri said, 'This prolonged leadership vacuum is stalling crucial decision-making processes and weakening the strategic direction of the department, and this ongoing trend poses a serious threat to the department's operational capability'. The DPWI informed the committee that, despite completing key recruitment steps, such as advertising, shortlisting and interviews, final appointments remain stalled due to pending Cabinet and ministerial approvals. The committee said it is equally troubling that 56 of the 129 current vacancies are unfunded, due largely to unbudgeted cost-of-living adjustments. the DPWI cited cost-containment measures imposed by the Department of Public Service and Administration as a major impediment to recruitment. Furthermore, the committee expressed disappointment that it was not invited to attend or contribute to the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa recently hosted by Infrastructure South Africa. The committee believes that parliamentary oversight bodies must be included in such important national engagements to ensure alignment with legislative priorities and transparency. The committee will continue to monitor the situation closely and expects decisive action to address these longstanding human resource and governance issues. In addition, going forward the department must clarify its acting policy with the portfolio committee. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
