MTBPS, Adjustments Appropriation Bill & Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill: Committee Reports

Meeting report

Opening comments:

The Chairperson began by greeting and welcoming everyone. Thereafter, he outlined the agenda for the meeting and noted the absentees with apologies. He requested that the first Bill be flighted for all to see.

Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill [B38-2023] Motion of Desirability

Mr AM Maubane, Committee Secretary, read out the motion.

The motion of desirability was adopted.

The DA reserved its right.

The EFF rejected the motion of desirability. 

Report of the Standing Committee on Appropriations on the Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill [B38 – 2023] (National Assembly – Section 77)

The Chairperson advised that they go through the draft report on the Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill page by page, and invited the Committee to stop the reading at any point to ask questions.

The reading was done.

The report was adopted.

The DA reserved its right.

The EFF rejected the report. 

https://pmg.org.za/tabled-committee-report/5609/

Adjustments Appropriation Bill [B34-2023] Motion of Desirability

The motion of desirability was adopted.

The DA reserved its right.

The EFF rejected the motion of desirability. 

Report of the Standing Committee on Appropriations on the Adjustments Appropriation Bill [B34 – 2023]

The Chairperson went through the report page by page.

The report was adopted.

The DA reserved its right.

The EFF rejected the report. 

https://pmg.org.za/tabled-committee-report/5608/

Report of the Standing Committee on Appropriations on the 2023 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement

The report was adopted.

The DA reserved its right.

The EFF rejected the report. 

https://pmg.org.za/tabled-committee-report/5610/

The Chairperson said all the reports would be sent to the National Assembly. A debate was to be held on the 2023 Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill.

The two sets of minutes for 28 November 2023 were considered and adopted.

The Chairperson mentioned that the support staff was busy with the Legacy Report. They were not yet able to present the draft for the Legacy Report during the meeting, as the Committee was still finalising legislation. He was sure that the report would be considered early next year.

Closing comments

The Chairperson thanked everyone for their time and participation. This was the last meeting for the year. All their inputs in the year were done to improve the country, and the Committee would continue in this spirit. He thanked the Committee staff who organised all their documents and hoped they would keep up the good work. He wished everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. All must be safe during the festive season. He thanked the members of the public and National Treasury and the various departments. He allowed other Members to give final comments.

Mr E Marais (DA) thanked the Committee who worked hard to improve the lives of South Africans. He recalled being in Korea a year ago. He advised all to be careful on the roads as it was very dangerous.

Ms N Ntlangwini (EFF) gave thanks to the Chairperson for his leadership of the Committee. She gave thanks to the staff who were so efficient in their work. Theirs was a Committee of high standards. All should be careful on the roads and return safely.

Mr A Shaik Emam (NFP) thanked the Chairperson for his leadership. He thanked the staff for their patience and understanding with the Members. They had a lot of work to do. The Committee was respectful towards each other even with their differences. He pleaded that they all stay away from alcohol and that they do not engage in driving under the influence of alcohol; this had a devastating effect in Mpumalanga especially. All should spend more time with their families, remember those who were less fortunate, and consider living in harmony.

Mr X Qayiso (ANC) thanked the staff for their work during the year. The Committee had the best interest of the people at heart and they were very committed. Luckily, they did not experience many difficult situations; they did such great work for the country. He gave thanks to the Chairperson for his leadership. He wished everyone well during the festive season.

The Chairperson said that the Committee made his work very easy and appreciated their willingness to help. He wished all the debaters luck in the upcoming debate. He reminded everyone that the rule still stood that the Chairperson would not be contradicted in the debate. The Committee supported said rule.

The meeting was adjourned.