PSIRA bill raises restriction on foreign ownership alarms bells

After being voted through the National Assembly towards the end of 2013, opposition MPs kicked up enough fuss to get the Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment (PSIRA) Bill sent back to the Portfolio Committee on Police this year... only to get see it passed again on Wednesday 29 January, minutes ...

Police Portfolio Committee endorse McBride for IPID head

In front of a committee meeting packed with members of the public, think tanks, NGOs and the media on Wednesday, the Portfolio Committee on Police voted 7-3 in support of Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s controversial nomination of former Ekhuruleni Metro Police Chief Robert Robert McBride to head up the Independent ...

Police Portfolio Committee Chair Van Wyk reflects on police v. protesters

On Tuesday, before turning the Portfolio Committee on Police's attention to considering the controversial Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment (PSIRA) bill, Chairperson Annelize Van Wyk began the meeting on a sombre note by making mention of the fact that this year has not started off well for SAPS, with regards ...

ACDP leader Rev Meshoe returns to parliament after six month break

People's Assembly (PA) notes that African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is back in the big house this year. After a six month leave of absence from Parliament, Meshoe was spotted attending the Police Portfolio Committee's first meeting of 2014, on Tuesday 28 November.

When asked why he ...

Review of Parliament's Rule Book

The current review of the Rules of Parliament is not only in compliance with statutory requirements but in response to pressures from the leading and minority opposition parties in Parliament. Moves made by the Democratic Alliance to pass a Motion of No Confidence on the President of the Republic last ...

Change is slow but possible

Of all the parliamentary committees I have visited, the most informative has been the Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities. Due to my studies in Development and Gender, attending this Committee has extended my knowledge and I have witnessed the reality of how policies can either produce ...

On SAPS

“When a Government collapses, the first thing to go is justice, and there is no justice in this country.”

These words were muttered by a disgruntled opposition MP during a tea break after a presentation from the South African Police Services (SAPS). The Portfolio Committee on Police had just gone ...

Parliamentary meetings can go two ways…

As an observer, one is either fortunate to attend a committee meeting where Members of Parliament are thoroughly prepared and willing to respectfully engage with one another on matters, but other meetings fail to grasp your interest from inception and the free snacks provided by Parliament may become the highlight ...

Teamwork in the Parliamentary Committees


I have been visiting Parliament for six months and during that time I have certainly gained insight into the ‘goings on’ of South Africa’s political spectrum. While politics plays a key role in the parliamentary setting, it is certainly not the be all and end all when it comes to ...

Parliament can feed the poor

One thing that can be said about attending parliamentary committee meetings (unrelated to the discourse), is that the food served to MPs and visitors during the meetings is plentiful and delicious. Fresh filter coffee and cream, scones with whipped cream and jam, fine cheeses with crackers, croissant sandwiches with a ...

About The Week in Parliament

That Week In Parliament

Recent happenings in Parliament