Committee Minutes

Meeting report

The Chairperson said that the purpose of the meeting was for the consideration and adoption of minutes from previous Committee meetings. She asked whether there were any matters arising that had not been included in the meeting’s agenda.

Members' concerns about Commissioner's notice

Ms C Mkhonto (EFF) requested that a notice issued by the Compensation Fund Commissioner (Notice 615) be included for discussion in the meeting. Stakeholders had written to the Committee about this Notice, and it was important that the Committee provide insight and greater clarity on the notice.

Mr M Nontsele (ANC) asked Ms Mkhonto to provide a further explanation on the matter.

Ms Mkhonto explained that Members had received a letter which informed them of concerns that the Compensation Commissioner was undermining the democratic process by issuing notices. She said that the content of the notice was in conflict with the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill (COIDA Bill), which the Committee had worked tirelessly to finalise. She asked whether the Chairperson had provided a response to the letter and if not, what interventions the Committee could make in this regard.

The Chairperson thanked Ms Mkhonto for her contribution, and asked for Members' input.

Mr M Bagraim (DA) said he agreed with the letter, in that it was the Commissioner's right to issue notices, but the Committee should still provide oversight by answering the letter.

Ms H Denner (DA) agreed with Mr Bagraim, and asked for further details about the timeline of the response.

Mr Nontsele said that he had not received the letter.

The Chairperson said she had received the letter and had forwarded it to the Department for a response, but the Department had not yet responded. For this reason, the issue would have to be raised in a future meeting, as the office of the Chairperson would have to follow up on the letter with the Department, and the Committee would discuss the matter after the response was received.

Ms Mkhonto endorsed the Chairperson’s proposal regarding the notice.

Mr Bagraim agreed, and seconded Ms Mkhonto’s endorsement.

The Chairperson noted that Mr Nontsele had not received the letter in question and asked that it be re-circulated to Members so that they could all have the chance to engage with it.

Adoption of Minutes

The Committee considered and adopted the minutes of its meetings on 7 July, 25 and 31 August 2021.

The Chairperson asked Members to consider the adoption of the minutes of the Committee's joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, held on 12 November 2021.

The minutes were adopted.

The Chairperson directed Members to the adoption of the minutes of 1 September, 17 and 25 November 2021.

The minutes were adopted.

The Chairperson asked the Committee Secretary to circulate the documents for the Wednesday meeting tomorrow, and committed to following up on the matter pertaining to the letter and the notice in question, as raised by Ms Mkhonto.

The meeting was adjourned.