DIRCO Budget: Committee Report

Meeting report

The Chairperson welcomed all those in attendance. He said the agenda contained one item: consideration and adoption of the Committee’s Budget Vote Report.

Report of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation on Budget Vote 6: International Relations and Cooperation

 The Chairperson went over the recommendations.

He said that the matter between the Department and Cuba is where the Department has said that it attempted to provide relief to the Cuban people. There was a ruling by the court on this matter. The Committee needs to decide how this matter should be outlined in the recommendations. The Department needs to deal with the situation with Cuba in line with the Constitution, policy and the courts.

Mr B Nkosi (ANC) said that he supports the recommendation on the matter between Cuba and the Department.

Dr C Mulder (FF+) said that he does not support the recommendation on the matter between Cuba and the Department.

Mr W Faber (DA) said that the situation with Cuba indicates an illegal transaction by the Department. The court has not decided because the money was not transferred yet, and the Committee needs to discuss how to address this in the report.

Rev K Meshoe (ACDP) did not support the recommendation on the matter between Cuba and the Department.

Mr M Chetty (DA) said that the recommendation on the matter between Cuba and the Department should not be in the report until the courts have sorted everything out. Thereafter, the Committee can decide how it will address this.

Mr T Mpanza (ANC) seconded Mr Nkosi. The recommendation does not affect the court processes and should not be removed.

Mr Faber said that the DA does not support the recommendation on the matter between Cuba and the Department.

Ms T Msane (EFF) said that the recommendation should remain in the report. Not speaking on the matter will be “clumsy” as the Committee plays an oversight role.

Mr D Moela (ANC) supported the recommendation.

Ms Msane said that the EFF rejects the report because the Department is heading deeper into mismanagement and even though it is getting adequate funding, it seems not to make progress.

The report was adopted with amendments and with the exception of the opposition parties.

The meeting was adjourned.