SA Parliament moves to take into consideration the Presidency for the first time

For the first time in democratic South Africa, the country’s President and Deputy President will be held directly accountable before a portfolio committee.

This comes after Parliament on Thursday voted on the proposal to establish a Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Portfolio Committee to oversee the functions of the Presidency.

Previously, the president’s duties were reviewed by ministers in other committees.

Obligations

The African National Congress (ANC) has historically resisted such oversight but now supports the proposal.

The vote was supported by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday night.

In June 2022, former Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Narend Singh’s proposal to form a committee to oversee the Presidency was placed before the Rules Committee of the National Assembly.

DA Member of Parliament (MP) and Speaker Whip George Michalakis said the proposals were a first step in ensuring “a Parliament that can robustly fulfill its constitutional obligation to monitor the executive”.

“The DA, supported by all parties present except the ANC and IFP, made the following recommendations: Establishing a separate oversight committee over the Presidency.

“The mandates are seen as desirable as an accountability mechanism, and the rules subcommittee is tasked with formulating rules to implement this,” Michalakis said.

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oversight committee

The then Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, in his report on the state’s capture, stated that there should be some oversight from the President.

“It is not right to transfer everything for which the President is responsible to a minister or department outside the Presidency. Our recent history also shows that the President’s conduct has not always been subject to adequate scrutiny by existing portfolio committees.”

Michalakis said the new rules will ensure that the President and the Presidential department are fully accountable, and not just through occasional oral questions and functions delegated to other members of the executive branch.

“The DA believes that all areas of government must work for our democracy to function effectively. In a parliamentary context, robust debate and executive oversight is required to ensure that government fulfills its duties and obligations in the public interest.

“Parties within the GNU must be confident in the effectiveness and transparency of their governance so that any scrutiny can and should be welcomed,” Michalakis said. he said.

‘Democracy won’

ActionSA Lerato Ngobeni welcomed Parliament’s move.

“A few minutes ago I was proud to cast ActionSA’s deciding vote for the establishment of an oversight committee on the bloated Presidency! Democracy won, accountability won.

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