Latest news with #PortfolioCommittee
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: Thabo Mofutsane District Residents Suggest Vetting of Marriages to Foreign Nationals in Line with Global Best Practices
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs was urged by Thabo Mofutsanyana District residents yesterday at Bethlehem where it conducted public hearings on Marriage Bill, to ensure that the Bill has strong vetting procedures to protect the population register against fraudulent marriages, enabling access to foreign nationals through marriage. The committee successfully hosted three public hearings in the Free State where the Bill enjoyed support of the majority of the people who participated in the public hearings. Although the majority supported the Bill, they also raised an alarm at the increasing rate of marriages of convenience. They argued that the trend exposes the population register to fraudulent entry, and also places participants in difficulty, especially in cases where they want to dissolve the marriage. The committee acknowledged the persistence of the challenge and committed to engaging the department to do a full-scale analysis of these marriages to ensure that officials who participate in this fraudulent process are investigated. Also, some participants urged the committee to ensure that provisions regulating marriages to foreign nations are in line with international standards by adopting effective practices elsewhere in the world. They told the committee that the application of international best practices and constant monitoring of these marriages will be an effective deterrent to the rise of convenience marriages. Some participants argued for the insertion of a section in the Bill that codifies sanctions and penalties to explicitly include harsher penalties for any South African who participates in such marriages. Meanwhile, there was broad agreement on the intention of the Bill to increase the age of consent for parties who intend to get married from the current 16 to 18, but many argued that the provision does not go far enough. Participants argued that 18 years remains too young, and that the committee consider increasing it to 21 years to ensure that participants are mature enough before entering into marriage. Marriage officers welcomed the expansion of those who can be designated as marriage officers, but cautioned the department to ensure that they are trained. They highlighted their concern that while the Bill protects them from solemnising marriages that go against their belief system, they also expressed a fear of reprisal if they refused to solemnise those marriages. Also, they called for the Bill to be explicit on the process to be followed when there is an objection to a marriage. On the same sex marriage, like in other public hearings that took place at other parts of the country, participants at Bethlehem differed on the issue of same sex marriages. Representatives from faith-based organisations underscored that same sex marriages go against their religious beliefs and teachings. Those who support same sex marriages, including representatives from traditional leadership organisations, argued that the South African Constitution was clear on the prohibition of discrimination against sexual orientation and that people's rights ought to be protected. At the end of the hearings, the Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mosa Chabane, thanked the participants and commended them for their inputs, which he described as invaluable. He said all their inputs will be taken into consideration when the committee deliberates on the Bill at Parliament. The committee will, from Monday, 4 August, conduct public hearings on the Bill in the Northern Cape. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Committee to Assess Feasibility of Introducing a Bill to Amend National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act
The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities asked Parliament's Legal Services about the existence of a possibility to make amendments through a committee Bill to the National Council on Gender Based Violence Act. The committee received a briefing yesterday from Parliament's Legal Services on the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF). During the engagement, the Chairperson of the committee, Ms Liezl van der Merwe, said the committee didn't want to just tick a box and proceed with the processes while there are no resources available for the establishment of the NCGBVF. The Chairperson also pointed out that the committee wanted to get more clarity regarding, among other things, the mandate of the body, which was why it requested Parliament's legal services to appear before it for engagement on the NCGBVF. The Chairperson highlighted a concern of the committee over the civil society that will be part of the Council and be remunerated. She also expressed the feeling of the committee about the proposed 24-member secretariat to serve in the Council, that it might be bloated. The scope of the request that the committee gave legal services, was to assess the feasibility of introducing a committee Bill that would amend the NCGBVF Act, to determine what provisions within the act require amendments to ensure greater clarity regarding the council's scope, mandate, and functions. Parliament's Legal Services was of the view that the amendments that the committee is seeking to do, are technical in nature, and where there are substantive amendments, those would be non-contentious. Adv Charmaine van der Merwe of Parliament's Legal Services said, she understands that the department has a different view and that was not in the agenda of the committee. She said contentious matters are Bills such as the National Health Insurance. The Bill that the committee envisages might be a difference of opinion on what it should say, but it's not contentious in the sense that it is likely to be faced with the public outcries. So said, Adv van der Merwe: 'I think that the proposed amendments are probably a solution that can be executed by way of a committee Bill,' said Adv van der Merwe. The Parliamentary Legal Services will undertake an evaluation of the NCGBVF Act which aims to focus on the following objectives: • To assess the feasibility of introducing a committee Bill that would amend the act • Determine what provisions within the act require amendments to ensure greater clarity regarding the council's scope, mandate and functions. • To provide competitive examples of existing structures within government established to perform an advisory function, for instance, the South African National AIDS Council. • To explore the feasibility of remuneration of council members from civil society, notwithstanding government's fiscal constraints, ensuring minimal impact on the public purse. • Proposal for limiting the size of the secretariat, its composition and structure. • Provide a time-frame in the event a committee bill is to be introduced. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Joint Meeting of Police and Justice Committees Adopts Report on Ad Hoc Committee to Consider Mkhwanazi Allegations
A joint meeting between the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development today officially adopted its report recommending to the National Assembly (NA) that an Ad Hoc Committee should be established to consider allegations made by the South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi. The report reflects the committees' considered view that an Ad Hoc Committee represents the most effective Parliamentary mechanism to fully investigate and deliberate on the matters raised. The committees recommended the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee in accordance with NA Rule 253, indicating that the scope of such a committee is task specific and time bound, contrary to the general oversight function of portfolio committees which, in contrast, is ongoing and often requires juggling competing priorities. The report also emphasised the need for the NA to ensure an expeditious process. Without being prescriptive, the committees propose that the NA takes into account, should it resolve to establish an Ad Hoc Committee as recommended, the need for the process to be concluded within 90 days of the committee being established, provided that the timeframe may be amended or extended if necessary. Given the gravity of the allegations and their potential implications for the rule of law, governance, and accountability within the criminal justice sector, the committees have resolved that a focused, multi-party Ad Hoc Committee will ensure a transparent, thorough and fair process. The committees further noted that actual composition of such a committee, as well as its terms of reference, does not reside with the joint meeting. The meeting has reiterated Parliament's constitutional responsibility to exercise oversight over state institutions and to uphold the principles of justice, integrity and accountability. The committees also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that this matter is handled with the seriousness it deserves and in line with the Constitution and the rules of Parliament. The report adopted today will be submitted to the NA for consideration. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Committee on Electricity Warns Against Job Losses as a Result of Just Energy Transition Plan
AFRICA The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy expressed its concern over potential job losses as a result of the Just Energy Transition (JET) plan when it received a briefing from Eskom on the revised plan, decoupled from the decommissioning of plants. The Eskom JET strategy has been decoupled from the decommissioning schedule to ensure independence from plant operations. Eskom's plan promotes the optimal use of the existing coal fleet while rolling out clean energy capacity to ensure security of supply and energy sustainability. The committee engaged with the power utility on its R400 billion debt burden along with limited government support, as the fiscus cannot keep funding Eskom in the way it has in the past. Also, due to the inflated cost of electricity, the entity has declining energy sales, escalating municipal debt and less than cost-reflective tariffs. The committee demanded an explanation from Eskom on how it plans to secure the substantial assistance and sustained funding required for the entire JET, including the estimated R257 billion for a minimum emission standards compliance and the 14,000 km of grid expansion needed by 2034. Eskom said that it has a commitment to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030. Regarding minimisation of any disruption that might occur, Eskom said that the transition not only includes sustainability but also energy security and affordability. The power utility stated that in its communication, it has been indicating that coal is not an issue. But to manage the transition, the entity uses technology to make it safe to reduce emissions. The committee heard that Eskom will not shut down coal-powered stations for the sake of shutdown and disrupt the economy but, where it is possible, coal will be used as optimally and efficiently as possible within the ambit of the commitments made. Regarding the strategies that are being implemented to mitigate the risks of funding delays and the impact of the US withdrawal from the International Partners Group, Eskom said the dynamics and changes from the US have changed how the power entity traditionally views funding. However, Eskom believes that change comes with opportunity. Eskom told the committee that the entity also engaged with the World Bank to source funding from various international funders. The committee heard that funders are aware of their five-year project from the discussions already undertaken. Regarding job losses due to the closure of the coal power stations and the JET plan, Eskom told the committee that it wants to grow the economy on all fronts, while continuously using all the available resources to meet emission targets. The committee noted the difficulties arising from the decommissioning of power stations, which include job losses and economic and social impacts. The committee expressed its appreciation to Eskom for stabilising the grid and avoiding loadshedding for a sustained period. The committee told Eskom that nuclear energy is probably the safest and cleanest energy source available. Members of the committee advised Eskom about the possibility of considering the new technology of using nuclear waste stored at fire pits for generating electricity. Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release. The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Home Affairs Committee Acknowledges Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC) Introspection on 2024 National and Provincial Elections
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs yesterday received the overall 2024 national and provincial elections report and appreciated the strong introspection on the part of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), which will create a platform for self-correction and strengthened electoral processes. The committee is confident that the areas of improvement highlighted by the IEC did not have a direct impact on the elections being free and fair. 'The areas of improvement identified by the IEC, such as challenges with the IT system, faults with the voter management devices, voting station inefficiencies and the need for improved training of electoral staff assure the committee that the Commission is doing everything to improve the quality of voting experience and efficiency of a voting station,' said Mr Mosa Chabane, the Chairperson of the committee. The committee highlighted that the report also reaffirms the IEC's credibility as a body that delivers quality, verifiable and open elections. Despite this, the committee emphasised the need for a reassessment of how to address the challenge of voter apathy and declining voter turnout. The committee has emphasised that enhanced civic and democratic education strategies must be urgently implemented to ensure that the number of voters increases, thereby strengthening the country's democracy. 'There must be a reflection, not only from the IEC's perspective but from society in general, that voter turnout is unacceptably low and impacts on the strength of South African democracy, a hard-fought right,' Mr Chabane said. The committee reaffirmed the IEC's integrity and system veracity over time, and acknowledged improvement since its establishment. Additionally, IEC has been recognised as a benchmark for election machinery on the continent. Meanwhile, the committee reflected on the impact of Section 24 (A) provision in the Electoral Amendment Act. The committee called on the IEC to develop a report on both the positive and negative impacts of this section during the 2024 elections. The committee highlighted its strong view on the need to review this provision, especially in the context of the unintended consequences for voter apathy. The committee welcomed the assurance from the IEC that it is working on a reimagined voter experience that includes the value proposition that a voter does not spend more than 30 minutes in a voting station. This would require improving the quality of staff employed at voting stations, optimising processes, ironing out problems with technical tools and improving the response rate to challenges arising in voting stations. Meanwhile, the committee has urged the IEC to highlight any legislative gaps that the committee and Parliament can work on to ensure that elections are seamless. The committee welcomed the 59% increase in the number of voting districts over the past 25 years, which reduces the average spread of voters per voting station. The committee continued to highlight that voting stations must be as close as possible to the people to ensure ease of access. Furthermore, the committee has welcomed the processing of the legal matter relating to IEC Commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku in line with and within the framework of the Constitution. The committee welcomes the fact that the Commissioner has not participated in IEC affairs since her legal challenges. On the expiry of the term of the IEC Chairperson, Mr Mosotho Moepya, and those of Judge Dhaya Pillay and Dr Masuku the committee thanked them for their service and integrity in advancing the work of the IEC. 'Their dedication and sleepless nights have contributed to strengthening South Africa's democracy,' Mr Chabane said. The committee has reiterated the need for continued protection of the IEC's credibility, as it plays a crucial role in promoting democratic processes. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
