South Africa’s New Parliament Committee on Presidency Starts Oversight

Parliament’s new Committee on the Presidency plans a strategic workshop to start its oversight work. This affects MPs, Presidency officials, and political parties across South Africa. It matters now as the first direct oversight of the Presidency after years of lobbying by opposition groups. “New Parliamentary committee prepared to break ground on Presidency oversight,” as recent reports note from Parliament statements.

The committee formed earlier this month. It took two attempts to elect a chairperson. The group has 16 members from major parties and alternates from smaller ones. Doris Mpapane, from the ANC, serves as chairperson. She spoke at a planning meeting on Wednesday.

This marks a change in oversight. For the first time, the director-general of the Presidency will report to a parliamentary committee. Unlike other state departments, this has not happened before. Presidents and deputies have only answered questions quarterly in the houses or through written replies, Mpapane noted.

Opposition parties like the EFF, MK Party, and DA lobbied for years to create this committee. They supported a DA proposal for oversight of the Presidency. Before now, no such direct committee existed for the Presidency.

Mpapane stressed the need for MPs to learn about the Presidency first. “We know nothing about the presidency,” she said. “So it will assist us to have a better understanding.” This comes after the committee’s brief planning session.

The committee could bring better accountability to the Presidency. MPs may gain clear insight into its operations through reports and questions. This shifts from past practices of limited questioning. The workshop aims to build that knowledge base.

Such oversight might strengthen parliamentary checks. It could lead to more detailed programmes for the year. Projections like these stem from the committee’s stated goals.

A strategic workshop will take place in Johannesburg in early April. Members there will map out their agenda and yearly programme. A lot of work happens behind the scenes to ensure the committee runs well, Mpapane said.

This sets the stage for ongoing oversight.