Police Portfolio Committee endorse McBride for IPID head

In front of a committee meeting packed with members of the public, think tanks, NGOs and the media on Wednesday, the Portfolio Committee on Police voted 7-3 in support of Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s controversial nomination of former Ekhuruleni Metro Police Chief Robert Robert McBride to head up the Independent ...

Police Portfolio Committee Chair Van Wyk reflects on police v. protesters

On Tuesday, before turning the Portfolio Committee on Police's attention to considering the controversial Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment (PSIRA) bill, Chairperson Annelize Van Wyk began the meeting on a sombre note by making mention of the fact that this year has not started off well for SAPS, with regards ...

Police Portfolio Committee Chair Van Wyk reflects on police v. protesters

On Tuesday, before turning the Portfolio Committee on Police's attention to considering the controversial Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment (PSIRA) bill, Chairperson Annelize Van Wyk began the meeting on a sombre note by making mention of the fact that this year has not started off well for SAPS, with regards ...

ACDP leader Rev Meshoe returns to parliament after six month break

People's Assembly (PA) notes that African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is back in the big house this year. After a six month leave of absence from Parliament, Meshoe was spotted attending the Police Portfolio Committee's first meeting of 2014, on Tuesday 28 November.

When asked why he ...

ACDP leader Rev Meshoe returns to parliament after six month break

People's Assembly (PA) notes that African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is back in the big house this year. After a six month leave of absence from Parliament, Meshoe was spotted attending the Police Portfolio Committee's first meeting of 2014, on Tuesday 28 November.

When asked why he ...

Change is slow but possible

Of all the parliamentary committees I have visited, the most informative has been the Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities. Due to my studies in Development and Gender, attending this Committee has extended my knowledge and I have witnessed the reality of how policies can either produce ...

Review of Parliament's Rule Book

The current review of the Rules of Parliament is not only in compliance with statutory requirements but in response to pressures from the leading and minority opposition parties in Parliament. Moves made by the Democratic Alliance to pass a Motion of No Confidence on the President of the Republic last ...

Review of Parliament's Rule Book

The current review of the Rules of Parliament is not only in compliance with statutory requirements but in response to pressures from the leading and minority opposition parties in Parliament. Moves made by the Democratic Alliance to pass a Motion of No Confidence on the President of the Republic last ...

Teamwork in the Parliamentary Committees


I have been visiting Parliament for six months and during that time I have certainly gained insight into the ‘goings on’ of South Africa’s political spectrum. While politics plays a key role in the parliamentary setting, it is certainly not the be all and end all when it comes to ...

On SAPS

“When a Government collapses, the first thing to go is justice, and there is no justice in this country.”

These words were muttered by a disgruntled opposition MP during a tea break after a presentation from the South African Police Services (SAPS). The Portfolio Committee on Police had just gone ...

About Impressions

Not many people know there are fifty committees in Parliament - each assigned to oversee the work of a government department and YOU are welcome to attend. Email us if you would like to sit in on a parliamentary committee meeting. - all you need is an ID or passport to visit Parliament. Contributions about your impressions gladly accepted.

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About The Week in Parliament

That Week In Parliament

Recent happenings in Parliament