The Week Ahead: Oversight visits & committee business dominate the week

This week marks the mid-way point of the third term and the programme has a familiar pattern: lots of unglamorous legislating, oversight and scrutinising, with some set piece battles in prospect.

Fireworks are expected during the debate on the parliamentary ad hoc committee report on the Nkandla upgrades. MPs visited the residence prior to their deliberations and were shocked at the cost escalations and the shoddy workmanship. The committee summoned both the Police Minister and the Public Works Minister to answer questions around the project but not the Public Protector despite a push from the opposition. In the end, it (with the ruling party using its majority) endorsed the Police Minister's report that President Zuma will not have to pay back public money spent on his Nkandla home. This differed from the Public Protector’s recommendation that the President must pay a reasonable portion for the non-security upgrades. Opposition parties have reacted with outrage, with some considering the legal route. The EFF declined to participate in the committee and has approached the Constitutional Court on the matter.

The snap debate called for by the Leader of the Opposition on “the growing economic crisis facing South Africa” is guaranteed to polarise views and pit the ruling party against the opposition. The former will elaborate on government’s achievements and programmes while the latter will concentrate on its failures and broken promises.

Elsewhere, Ministers in the Social Services Cluster will be probed on a range of intriguing and controversial subjects during their question session in the National Assembly. Look out for questions to the Ministers of Sport and Recreation, Basic Education and Health about the FIFA scandal, the cash-for-jobs allegations and vacancies in the public health sector.

Meanwhile, no sittings have been arranged in the NCOP chamber this week as its committees will embark on oversight visits across the country. These committees will meet with ordinary people, private companies, government departments and entities across the country as they assess the state of service delivery.

There is some significant action in the committee corridor this week. Here is a rundown of the highlights:

On Tuesday, the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services will discuss compliance with international standards in offender management; offender rehabilitation; and independent monitoring of conditions of incarceration/detention and the treatment of offenders.

The Portfolio Committee on Women in Presidency continues its interactions with government departments to assess their compliance in relation to gender and disablity targets. This week, it is the turn of the Department of Social Development to account.

There was violence and high drama in Mamelodi last month when taxi drivers prevented commuters from using Autopax buses. The issue is back in the spotlight when the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport brief MPs on the challenges and latest developments.

On Wednesday, legislators will receive a briefing form parliamentary researches on the Farlam-Commission recommendations. This is a prelude to their planned engagement with SAPS leadership the following week. In addition, SAPS will brief them about Operation Fiela. Some human rights organisations have criticised the operation, claiming police are targeting foreign nationals during raids.

Lawmakers will also discuss some other big issues, notably the National Health Insurance, acid mine drainage and derelict and ownerless mines and South Africa's peace-making efforts in Lesotho, Burundi and South Sudan.

On the legislative front, MPs will discuss and consider the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill, Judicial Matters Amendment Bill, Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and Taxation Administration Laws Amendment Bill.

You can find the full list of meetings here.

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