Committee Report on Western Cape oversight visit

Meeting report

The Chairperson showed concern over the treatment of the girl child in society with reference to the court trial of Pastor Timothy Omotoso. She felt that something must be done especially with regard to parents playing their role in looking after these girls. This included in churches since nowadays children have the right to attend different churches from those attended by parent.

She encouraged keeping the girl child in prayer. The law must take its course but there is a need for those who studied law to know what questions to ask and not to ask.

Draft Report on the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation on the Oversight Visit to the Western Cape from 13 to 14 September 2018

The Committee went through the document page by page and Members were invited to make comments.

The Chairperson highlighted that the Report was not complete since it did not include the first oversight visit so this was a gap to be considered.

Mr S Ralegoma (ANC) requested the officials include the reason for the visit to the Western Cape because it submitted its report to the Committee in terms of sport. This was important in order to cover all aspects of the oversight visit as well as good justification for the oversight visit to George. He suggested there be a presentation from the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and the Sports Council.

The Chairperson was not happy with the lack of attendance by Members of the Committee without any apologies received.

Mr L Ntshayisa (AIC) did come to apologise because of some internal meetings he had to join.

Mr D Bergman (DA) apologised that his friend was locked up in an airplane. He also requested some feedback on the previous meeting which he did not attended.

Mr T Mhlongo (DA) indicated that he sent his apology via phone during the previous meeting since he was already in Johannesburg.

The Chairperson insisted on receiving written apologies instead.

Mr P Moteka (EFF) did not attend previous meetings as he was not feeling one - there is no way he would not attend should he have been in Cape Town.

Returning to the Report, Mr Mhlongo questioned if the reference on page one, paragraph one of the Report, to 42%, was the correct figure.

The Chairperson suggested this be verified by the Committee staff.

Ms B Abrahams (ANC) referred the Committee to page two on the background section asking whether it was two schools per province or per region.

The Chairperson responded this was per province but it could also be verified by the Committee staff.

Mr Ralegoma referred the Committee to page six, paragraph 8.1, which read “The Railton Community is situated in a previously disadvantaged area” suggesting it should read “Railton Sports club is situated in a previously disadvantaged area”

Members agreed.

Mr Ralegoma did not understand the last point on page seven.

Ms Abrahams corrected point number 8 on page seven to read “Councilors must support and protect their community”.

Mr Mhlongo asked if the planning documents were sent to the areas where they were requested.

The Committee Secretary responded that the documentation on the presentation conducted by the Director in Parliament during the first oversight was sent.

The Chairperson indicated to Members that the other Report of the first oversight visit will be entertained next Tuesday for Members to adopt.  

Mr Mhlongo sought confirmation on whether the adopted Reports were sent to Parliament.  

Mr Ralegoma said it was every Committee Member’s responsibility to ensure Reports were tabled in Parliament’s ATC.

Mr S Mmusi (ANC) was also concerned about the oversights visit Reports where nothing happened.

The Chairperson responded that the Committee had achieved some positive scores including in the Free State, Mpumalanga, and Eastern Cape. The problem with the tabling of the recommendations was centered on the programming team and the lack of prioritisation of sports in the country. There is a need to put pressure to ensure the Committee oversight Reports are tabled.

Mr Moteka emphasised the point was checking whether the adopted Reports are implemented. He pleaded with government to consider the sports ministry seriously, as most progressive countries did. This is a solution to social ills in South Africa.  

Mr Ralegoma acknowledging that since the Committee now knows that once the Report has been adopted it needs to be tabled so that the Committee makes a recommendation to the Minister. Members of the Committee who sit in programming need to know there are adopted Reports. The Committee needs to serve Parliament so there is a need to push this. There matter of measurable timeframes was also highlighted as key in these Reports.

The Chairperson added that the Committee had also realised achievements through its Reports such as with the Eastern Cape debate, fast tracking the call to the Department for boxing in South Africa as well as the Rugby 14 in Port Elizabeth. She also emphasised the need for timeframes in these deliverables. The programming team was also managed slowly particularly the current Chief Whips’ Forum. She encouraged the political parties not to blame each other since all parties sit in this caucus.

The Committee agreed.  

Draft Report on the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation on the Oversight Visit to the Western Cape from 13 to 14 September 2018 was adopted with amendments.

Draft Minutes of proceedings of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, dated 4 September 2018

Members outlined grammatical amendments to be made.

The Draft Minutes of proceedings of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, dated 4 September 2018 was adopted with amendments. The motion was moved by Ms Ndlovu and seconded by Mr Mhlongo.

Draft Minutes of proceedings of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, dated 9 October 2018

Mr Mhlongo advised the Chairperson to start by address the monitoring tool to follow up and deal with matters.

The Chairperson responded that this needed to be discussed under matters rising and the action plan.

Ms Ndlovu corrected a punctuation error on pages two and three.

Draft Minutes of proceedings of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, dated 9 October 2018 was adopted with amendments. The motion was moved by Ms Abrahams and seconded by Ms Ndlovu.

Draft Minutes of proceedings of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, dated 16 October 2018

Ms Ndlovu corrected the opening and welcome in the first sentence to read as “commended” not “commented”

The Chairperson reemphasised to Mr Mhlongo that the apology must be written and cannot be submitted via SMS.

Draft Minutes of proceedings of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, dated 16 October 2018 was adopted

Draft Minutes of proceedings of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, dated 18 October 2018

The Chairperson noted the SMS apology of Mr Mhlongo.

Mr Moteko apologised for not attending the meeting.

Draft Minutes of proceedings of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, dated 18 October 2018 was adopted by Ms Ndlovu and seconded by Mr Mhlongo.

Matters Arising

Mr Mhlongo raised a concern over an email wrote to the Minister asking questions about allegations on construction of the Vembe Stadium at R29 million paid to contractors. The Minister referred the matter to the Chairperson of the Committee.

Mr Bergman had the same response when he wrote to the Ministry.  

The Chairperson disagreed with the Ministry’s response saying it should respond to questions. The Committee will help correct this.  

The meeting was adjourned.