The Week Ahead: Packed plenary programme and committee corridor

Parliament has scheduled a broad and busy programme in the main chambers as well as in the committee corridor.

The President’s oral question session in the NCOP (on Thursday) is the main plenary event. His responses to questions on the recent xenophobic attacks and the Report on Farlam Commission of Inquiry (aka Marikana Commission) are expected to produce big headlines.

In addition, the budget debates for the departments of energy, public service and administration, public enterprises and police are eagerly anticipated and likely to stir a great deal of interest.

The committee corridor is also not short of action. Here is a run down of the highlights:

On Tuesday, the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will get a briefing on the unconstitutionality of section 21(5) of the Refugees Act, 1998. This issue will attract interest given the recent spate of xenophic attacks in the country.

National Treasury and SALGA have had public disagtreements about the former’s decision to withhold transfers of equitable share funding to 60 municipalities. In a press statement released last month, Treasury explained that the failure of 60 municipalities to honour financial commitments "in general" and to Eskom and creditors (as required by section 65 (2) of the Municipal Finance Management Act had prompted it to invoke section 216 (2) of the Constitution. Meanwhile, SALGA has called for a measured response that does not result in unintended consequences against the poor. The matter will come to a head when both entities and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs brief MPs.

The Minister of Police will brief MPs on the suspension of the IPID Executive Director, Mr Robert McBride, and the related disciplinary processes. He was suspended primarily because the Minister was concerned that he would interfere in an independent investigation into allegations of unlawful renditions of Zimbabweans. Mr McBride has argued that that his suspension will disrupt sensitive investigations of high-ranking members of the police and approached the courts to challenge the constitutionality of his suspension.

The Portfolio Committee on Communications will shortlist candidates for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Board. The negative public perception of the broadcaster and the continued loss of board members remains a concern.

On Wednesday, the SAPS will present to Parliament quarterly reports on the implementation of the Criminal Justice System Modernisation; Integrated Case Docket Management System; and Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act, 2013 (DNA Act).

Government has identified Mineral Beneficiation as one of the major drivers in advancing the empowerment of historically disadvantaged communities in South Africa. The State Diamond Trader will inform MPs how it is fulfilling this ambition in the diamond sector.

The Minister of Public Enterprises reported to Parliament last year that South African Express Airways was in "extremely difficult financial position" and requires government guarantee to allow it to continue its operations. MPs will be keen to hear what steps have been taken to turn the ship around.

The Chief Procurement Officer will brief MPs on its role. According to its website, the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer will modernise and oversee the South African public procurement system to ensure that the procurement of goods, services and construction works is conducted in a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective way in line with the Constitution and all relevant legislation.

Beyond this, there is some detailed legislating as MPs conduct public hearings on the Plant Breeders’ Rights Bill, Plant Improvement Bill and Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill. Elsewhere, there are further discussions and deliberations on the Agrément South Africa Bill, Merchant Shipping Amendment Bill and Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill.

Click here for the full list of committee meetings for this week.

See below for the budget vote schedule.

TUESDAY, 12 MAY 09:00 – 12:45 Committees Extended Public Committees: 14:00 – 16:30 Debate on Vote 25: Economic Development (NA Chamber) Debate on Vote 17: Social Development (OAC) 17:00 – 19:00 Debate on Vote 26: Energy (NA Chamber) Debate on Vote 13: Women (OAC)

WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY Extended Public Committees: 15:00 – 17:00 Debate on Vote 15: Higher Education and Training (NA Chamber) Debate on Vote 10: Public Service and Administration (OAC) 17:00 – 19:00 Debate on Vote 24: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (NA Chamber) Debate on Vote 6: International Relations and Cooperation (OAC)

THURSDAY, 14 MAY Extended Public Committees: 14:00 – 16:30 Debate on Vote 4: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (NA Chamber) Debate on Vote 33: Tourism (OAC) 16:40 – 18:40 Debate on Vote 9: Public Enterprises (NA Chamber) Debate on Vote 27: Environmental Affairs (OAC)

FRIDAY, 15 MAY Extended Public Committees: 10:00 – 12:30 Debate on Vote 23 & 20: Police & Independent Police and Investigative Directorate (NA Chamber)