The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thandi Modise, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo, convened a virtual media briefing yesterday on the resumption of the business of Parliament.
They told the media and the nation about this decision, which Parliament took in order to resume its business with immediate effect following the conclusion of the constituency programme on 13 April.
The Presiding Officers said the leave period for Members of Parliament (MPs), which wa scheduled from 28 April to 4 May, has been cancelled.
But most significantly, they said this virtual interaction with the media and the South African public was meant to clarify how Parliament will operate during the course of the lockdown, and after the lockdown.
Explaining further on the resumption of the work of Parliament after the lockdown to journalists after the delivery of the statement, Ms Modise said Parliament has a plan in place for that time. “Obviously people will not just come to Parliament,” she said.
The Presiding Officers highlighted Parliament’s constitutional role that includes overseeing the executive, pass legislation, provide a forum for public consideration of issues, and facilitate public participation, a role they said remains indispensable during this period of a national lockdown.
For Parliament, according to them, there has never been a more important time to work in an extraordinary manner and intensify “our technological capabilities for our transition to an e-Parliament, as also directed by our new strategic plan to ensure that the execution of our constitutional responsibilities continues uninterrupted”.
The Presiding Officers told the nation that Parliament has been putting in place the necessary communications technology infrastructure to ensure its readiness for virtual meetings.
The Presiding Officers announced that Parliament “will prioritise a schedule of virtual meetings whose scope of oversight relates to government departments driving the Covid-19 response measures.”
They said the committees will be required to intensify their oversight engagements particularly on Covid-19 matters, and will conduct joint meetings.
“The Chief Whips represented in Parliament have agreed to draft guidelines and rules on how these virtual committee meetings and voting must be conducted,” added the Presiding Officers.
On the sitting of the two Houses of Parliament during the lockdown, the Presiding Officers said they have framed rules for virtual House sittings. They said the sittings of the Houses will deal with legislation and other matters that will need approval or consideration from the Houses.
The Division of Revenue Bill that was presented by the Minister of Finance in February this year, which is before the NCOP and which is envisaged to be passed on the 2nd of June this year, was mentioned as an example of the priority matters to be considered by the Houses of Parliament.
On questions and oral replies, Ms Modise explained to journalists that the Presiding Officers are still discussing a number of possibilities to approach questions and oral replies with the Leader of Government Business, and said she hopes that a practical way will be found and will be communicated to the public later.
On the budget, the Presiding Officers said they are mindful that there is a possibility of its revision in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Talking further on the budget during the question time with the journalists, Mr Masondo said the issue of the budget will be addressed through the established processes of Parliament.
In addition to the issue of the budget, Ms Modise said although they don’t know how the adjustments will be made on the national budget, but they will ensure that the Department of Health gets more money to ensure that more lives are saved and there is enough for the provision of food to vulnerable people.
On communication on the work of Parliament and public participation during this period, the Presiding Officers told journalists that there are existing platforms of engagement with the public, which the Parliamentary Communication Services will communicate through the media and other available means to the public.
By Abel Mputing
17 April 2020
Arrange a tour