Monday, 15 May 2017- Parliamentary Committees have a busy schedule over the next few weeks as they will deal with Budget Votes of various government departments.

From the 16 May individual departments will present budget votes, strategic plans and annual performance plans as part of a critical policy pronouncement and accountability phase of Parliament, unpacking the government programme of action that was introduced by the President during the State of the Nation Address and funded through the national budget presented by the Minister of Finance.

Parliament is responsible for considering and scrutinizing individual departmental plans and budgets against national development targets outlined in the National Development Plan and President's State of The Nation Address (SONA), before approving their budgets.

Parliamentary Committees are lead agencies in assessing departments' performance against plans and targets of the previous financial year, before considering new plans and budgets, and recommending approval by the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. As a forum of citizens' representatives and a national platform for dialogue on important matters of society, Parliament is exercising its mandate of holding the executive accountable through heightened oversight.

When budget votes have been presented and debated, each House of Parliament, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, will vote to approve budgets and enable various Ministers to use allocated funds to advance citizens development. Departments will subsequently be required to submit quarterly performance reports and present themselves to account to Parliament during the course of 2017/18 financial year on progress made or lack thereof.

Citizens are welcome and encouraged to attend the plenary sessions.

Attached is the latest parliamentary programme which may be amended without prior notification. We will, however, endeavour to keep you updated. Please consult the Parliament website for www.parliament.gov.za for daily updates.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo 082 370 6930