The Week Ahead: Budget Week & Removal of Judges

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Budget Speech on Wednesday, 21 February will dominate headlines this week.

The Budget is an annual plan for what the government wants to achieve and how it will spend money to achieve those goals. It is the most important economic instrument of the government. It is used to make sure that the state has the resources it needs to do its work. Since there is a limit to the resources, there is an increased need for proper budgeting to allocate scarce resources to various governmental activities. (source: parliament.gov.za)

Loadshedding; an inefficient logistics system; high unemployment; wastage and corruption; mismanagement at local, provincial and national government; revenue shortfalls; surging government expenditure, high debt, a widening budget deficit and underperformance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are some of the major challenges facing the country.

Low economic growth is expected to persist with the IMF forecasting 1% and SARB 1.2% in 2024.

With this in mind, some have warned of tax hikes and a decrease in government spending in the upcoming 2024/25 financial year.

The reality is that public finances are constrained, limiting the ability of the government to expand its investment in economic and social development. Government has to do more with less and needs to be efficient in the use of financial resources.

[Budget 2024: All You Need To Know]

Financial markets, investors and credit rating agencies are interested observers in the speech. The public will also be paying attention to what taxes (if any) are introduced and if there is an increase in expenditure on social grants.

During his State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa outlined his government’s immediate priorities. Minister Godongwana will outline in detail how these commitments and plans will be funded.

Almost a year ago, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) took the decision to include South Africa on its "grey list". The Minister is expected to give an update on what has been done by government departments and agencies to address the deficiencies identified.

Legislation accompanying the budget speech will be tabled on the day, namely, the Appropriations Bill, Division of Revenue Bill and Tax Bills.

These will be discussed and processed by the finance and appropriation committees in both houses.

Read: Role of Parliament in the Budget

Following the Budget Speech, the House will consider two reports recommending the removal from office of Judge President John Hlophe and Judge Nkola Motata – in terms of section 177(1) of the Constitution. A majority of two-thirds of National Assembly members (267) is required to remove a judge from office. This would be historic as it would be the first time in South Africa that a judge is impeached. There is a bit of side drama as Judge President Hlophe has made an urgent request in the High Court to stop the national legislature from moving on with the impeachment while he makes his case.

Beyond this, the focus of Tuesday’s National Assembly’s sitting is on legislation: Revenue Laws Amendment Bill; Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Bill; Deeds Registries Amendment Bill; and the Municipal Fiscal Powers and Functions Amendment Bill as well as two reports: the Establishment of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel and a Request for the Approval of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution

There are no sittings scheduled in the NCOP this week. The annual opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan leaders takes place on Thursday.

Elsewhere, four Premiers will deliver their State of the Province Address this week. View here

There is notable action in the Committee corridor. Here is a rundown of the highlights:

MONDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2024

Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Content Advisor on issues that the Parliamentary Legal Services, the Department of Home Affairs, the Independent Electoral Commission and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies have consensus on the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill; Committee deliberations on the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill [B 42 – 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-17:00

TUESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2024

Ad Hoc Committee on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, (National Assembly), [Oral Submissions on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB) [B40-2023]], (Hybrid Meeting) Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 08:00-14:00

Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, (National Assembly), [Consideration clause by clause of the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill [B24-2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00

Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, (National Assembly), [Further Committee deliberations on the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill [B 42 – 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, (National Assembly), [Presentation of Draft Final PC Strategic Plan, 2019 - 2023 and APP 2023/24 as revised from 19 April 2022 (possible consideration and adoption); Consideration and Adoption of Outstanding Draft Minutes and Draft Reports as follows: Draft Committee Report on Petition to Eradicate Pit Latrines; Draft Committee Annual Report 2023; Draft Minutes – 14 November 2023 & 6 February 2024], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-12:30

Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, (National Assembly), [Consideration and adoption of outstanding minutes; Deliberations on the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill [B23 – 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Standing Committee on Public Accounts, (National Assembly), [Update by the Presidency on the investigation reports submitted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU)], Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament, 09:30-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, (National Assembly), [Report-back by the Minister Creecy on the outcomes of UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai, UAE; Briefing by the Commission for Gender Equality: Progress Report: Transformation in the Public and Private Sectors 2022/2023 (SANParks to be in attendance); Briefing by Mr P Dowling from WESSA on the South African Navy Detonations in Simon’s Town; Briefing by Mr M Sternberg on the environmental challenges in Kabeljous Conservation Area, Eastern Cape Meeting], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-14:00

WEDNESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2024

Ad Hoc Committee on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, (National Assembly), [Oral Submissions on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB) [B40-2023]], (Hybrid Meeting) Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 07:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Social Development, (National Assembly), [Virtual hearings on the Older Persons Amendment Bill [B11 – 2022]; Consideration and adoption of committee consolidated report on provincial public hearings on the Older Persons Amendment Bill [B11 – 2022]; Adoption of minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Select Committee on Security and Justice, (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill [B29B-2023] S75 and submissions received on the Bill; Committee deliberation on the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill [B19B - 2020] S75], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Select Committee on Transport, Public Service and Administration, Public Works and Infrastructure, (National Council of Provinces), [Final Mandates: Expropriation Bill [B 23B-2020] (sec 76); Briefing by the Department of Public Service and Administration on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector Including Organs of State: Implementation of lifestyle audits for members of the National Executive; Review of public sector legislation and alignment with the National Framework towards the Implementation of Professionalisation of the Public Sector; Induction for New Ministers to clarify the relationship between the political authority and the institutions they oversee; Revision to relevant sections of the Ministerial Handbook; and Development of a code of conduct for special advisers], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:30-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, (National Assembly), [Briefing by the Department of Employment and Labour on the Analysis, Implications and Impact of the President’s SONA 2024; and Consideration and Adoption of outstanding Draft Minutes (1; 8; 15; 22; and 29 November 2023)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00

Select Committee on Public Enterprises and Communication (National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies on the SA Post Office Soc Ltd A/B [B11B-23 (s75)]; Consideration and Adoption of Minutes], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00-13:00

THURSDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2024

Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, (National Assembly), [Stakeholder engagement /Public hearings on the SABC SOC Ltd Bill [B32 – 2023] (Sec 75)], Venue to be confirmed, 09:00-17:00

Powers and Privileges Committee, (National Assembly), [Hearing on the incident of 9 & 10 June 2022], Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 10:00-16:00

Joint Meeting: Standing Committee on Finance, Standing Committee on Appropriations, Select Committee on Finance and Select Committee on Appropriations, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Briefing by the Minister of Finance on the 2024 Budget (Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals)], Virtual Meeting Platform, 12:30-15:00

FRIDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2024

Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament, (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces), [Consideration of the JSCFMP’s: 2024 First Term programme; 2023 Annual Report; Sixth Parliament Legacy Report (First Draft); draft minutes: 28 November 2023; and draft report on the Parliament of the RSA’s 2023/24 mid-year performance report], Virtual Meeting Platform, 08:00-12:00

Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, (National Assembly), [Deliberations on the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill [B23 – 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00-13:00

Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, (National Assembly), [Deliberations on the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill [B25 – 2023]], Virtual Meeting Platform, 14:00-18:00

Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, (National Assembly), [Stakeholder engagement / Public hearings on the SABC SOC Ltd Bill [B32 – 2023] (Sec 75)], Venue to be confirmed , 09:00-17:00

Portfolio Committee on Transport, (National Assembly), [Meeting with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) on matters related to the AGSA audit findings and outstanding matters per Committee resolutions of reports on the Department of Transport budgets and Budgetary Review and Recommendation Reports], Virtual Meeting Platform, 10:00

Powers and Privileges Committee, (National Assembly), [Hearing on the incident of 9 & 10 June 2022], Committee Room S12A, Ground Floor, NCOP Building, Parliament, 10:00-16:00

Committees provide a platform for the public to present views directly to MPs. Share your thoughts, on-the-ground experience and expert information with the relevant committees. Critically, what questions should MPs pose to the Executive as they conduct their oversight work? Write to a Parliamentary Committee

View the schedule page here.

The schedule is subject to frequent changes and needs to be checked daily.

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