Parliament, Sunday 10 May 2026 – This week in Parliament will feature a packed parliamentary programme, including departmental budget vote debates in hybrid mini-plenary sessions, an oral question-and-answer session with President Cyril Ramaphosa and the National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) flagship “Taking Parliament to the People” programme in the North West province taking place under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Years of the Constitution: Deepening Participatory Democracy for Service Delivery.”
Mini-plenaries to Consider Budget Votes
Following the Minister of Finance’s tabling of the national budget and related bills, parliamentary committees have considered budget votes for each government department and its entities. This week, the process culminates in formal budget vote debates in the NA, conducted as hybrid mini-plenaries – breakaway sessions of the House that follow the same rules and protocols as full plenary sittings.
Budget vote debates allow Parliament to review and provide input on departmental plans and budget allocations. They enable Parliament and the public to remain informed about government undertakings, implementation plans and the spending of public funds. Committees scrutinise departmental budgets and annual performance plans and assess whether departments have honoured previous commitments and spent taxpayers’ money properly.
Meaningful public participation and vigorous parliamentary oversight over budget processes promote collective ownership of the budget, improve effective resource allocation and reduce wasteful or inefficient expenditure.
The Constitution requires Parliament to actively engage in the budget process in the interests of good governance and financial transparency. The Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act (2009) grants Parliament the authority to amend the overall budget and the budgets of specific national government departments and entities.
On Tuesday at 10:00, Members will debate Budget Vote 25 (Justice and Constitutional Development) and Vote 40 (Transport). At 14:00, Members will debate Vote 30 (Communications and Digital Technologies) and Vote 37 (Sport, Arts and Culture). Later at 16:45, there will be a debate on Vote 10 (Electricity and Energy).
On Wednesday at 10:00, Members will debate Vote 22 (Correctional Services), Vote 20 (Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities), Vote 18 (Health), Vote 13 (Public Works and Infrastructure), Vote 27 (Office of the Chief Justice) and Vote 14 (Statistics South Africa).
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa will appear before the National Assembly for an oral question-and-answer session. These sessions, scheduled at least once per quarter, serve as a key mechanism for Parliament to hold the executive accountable. Under Section 92(2) of the Constitution, Members of the executive are accountable, collectively and individually, to Parliament for exercising their powers and performing their functions. Thursday morning at 08:30, the National Assembly’s Programming Committee meeting will consider the House’s draft parliamentary programme.
On Friday, Members will debate Votes 5 (Home Affairs), 29 (Agriculture), 41 (Water and Sanitation) and 35 (Science, Technology and Innovation). Once each budget has been debated, both Houses – the NA and the NCOP – must vote on the entire budget.
Taking Parliament to the People programme
Also this week, from Tuesday to Friday, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), as part of its Taking Parliament to the People programme, Permanent Delegates to the NCOP will hold public hearings and conduct site visits to various identified projects. The programme brings all three spheres of government together for a shared, one-stop service delivery programme. Delegates, together with Ministers, Members of Provincial Legislatures (MPLs) and councillors, will assess service delivery challenges in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality and local municipalities in the district.
Key issues to be addressed include local economic development and job creation, infrastructure maintenance (water and sanitation, roads, electricity, human settlements, health, and mining) and financial management and governance.
On Thursday at 17:30 in the North West, the NCOP will hold a hybrid plenary to consider the Special Appropriation Bill. Together with the Division of Revenue Bill, the Special Appropriation Bill was passed by the NA on 21 April 2026. It provides an additional R13.5 billion for the 2025/26 financial year to address urgent and unforeseen spending needs, allowing government to respond quickly to pressing national priorities without waiting for the next budget cycle. The programme will culminate in a keynote address by President Ramaphosa to the NCOP on Friday, 15 May 2026.
Media Protocol for Mini-plenaries
The same rules and protocol that apply during plenary sittings of the National Assembly also apply during mini-plenaries:
Filming: No filming is allowed by outside videographers. Live feed may be obtained from Parliament’s broadcast and audio-visual unit. Broadcasters must apply for a live feed through the Parliamentary Communication Services’ Media Relations Unit at least one day before the sitting.
Photography: Permission must be sought at least one day in advance. Photographers granted permission may not use flash or a tripod, must follow instructions from Parliamentary Communication Services and Protection Services, must wear a bib and must be commissioned by a media organisation. Official photographers attached to government departments must also obtain permission via their official email addresses.
Media wishing to attend the NA Mini-Plenaries should send their details (full name, name of media house, ID or passport number) to Mr Mlindi Mpindi at mmpindi@parliament.gov.za or contact him on 081 716 7329.
Committee Meetings
There are 24 committee meetings scheduled for this week, which include:
TUESDAY, 12 MAY 2026:
Portfolio Committee on Agriculture: Consideration and adoption of the draft Budget Vote 29 Report and outstanding minutes. Consideration and adoption of outstanding minutes. Virtual Platform Meeting, 09:30 – 13:00
Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality on latest audit outcomes and SIU investigations. Committee Room M514, Marks Building, 09:30 – 13:00
Standing Committee on Finance: Briefing by National Treasury on their APP and Strategic Plan. Virtual Meeting Platform, 09:00 – 12:00
Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation: Budget Review 2026: Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plans by the Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAf), South African Council of Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). Committee Room 3043, Third Floor, 90 Plein Street. 10:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services: Briefing by the Department of Correctional Services on progress on the review of prices on perishables contracts. M314, Marks Building, 09:30
Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment: Adoption of the Committee Report on Budget Vote 32, 2026. Outstanding minutes and Reports. Virtual meeting platform, 09:30 – 11:00
Select Committee on Finance: Briefing by Land and Agricultural Bank on their strategic plan. Zoom/Virtual platform, 10:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Briefing by the Department of Traditional Affairs on the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill [B11-2026]. Virtual meeting platform, 09:00 – 14:00
WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2026
Portfolio Committee on Health: Consideration and adoption of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill [B33-2022]. Consideration and adoption of minutes. S26, First Floor, NCOP Building, 10:00 – 11:10
Standing Committee on Public Accounts: eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality hearing on latest audit outcomes and SIU investigations. Committee Room M514, Marks Building, 09:30 – 14:00
Standing Committee on Finance: Briefing by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on their Annual Performance Plan and Strategic Plan. Virtual meeting platform, 09:00 – 12:00
Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour: Briefing regarding progress with the implementation of proposed remedial action by AGSA for the 2025/26 financial year. Consideration and adoption of draft minutes and draft budget vote report. Virtual meeting platform, 09:00
Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration: Consideration, deliberations and adoption of the budget vote reports of the Department of Public Service and Administration, Centre for Public Service Innovation, Public Service Commission and National School of Government. Consideration and adoption of the minutes. Virtual meeting platform, 10:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development: Briefing by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on various investigations concerning Land Reform and Rural Development and outcomes. Consideration of the budget vote report. Committee Room M515, Marks Building, Fifth Floor. 09:30 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education: Briefing by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) on allegations of irregularities at the entity. Committee Room, S12A Ground Floor, NCOP Building. 09:00 – 17:00
Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development: Consideration and adoption of the 2026/27 Budget Vote Report. Consideration and adoption of minutes. Virtual meeting platform, 14:00 – 16:00
Portfolio Committee on Police: Consideration of the IPID Report on the Phala Phala Game Farm Theft matter (IPID Ref: CCN2022070130 Misconduct). Briefing by the South African Police Services (SAPS) on the actions taken in respect of members implicated in the Report, including any disciplinary processes and outcomes. M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament. 09:00 – 13:00
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure: EPWP Stakeholder Engagement Forum: A broader discussion with the EPWP Branch (and its regional managers) and all stakeholders (provinces and municipalities), including the department, on all matters relating to the implementation of the EPWP. Committee Room 3062, Third Floor, 90 Plein Street. 09:00 – 14:00
Select Committee on Appropriations: Responses by National Treasury to the submissions by stakeholders and negotiating mandates on the Division of the Revenue Bill [B5 – 2026]. Consideration of Committee Report on the Special Appropriation Bill [B3 – 2026]. Virtual meeting platform. (After TPTTP programme for the day).
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans: Denel Annual Performance Plan and budget presentation. Introduction of the new Denel Board, Armscor Annual Performance Plan and budget presentation. Consideration of outstanding minutes. Committee Room 1, Ground Floor, 90 Plein Building, 09:00 – 3:00
FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2026
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies: Presentation by DCDT and ICASA on the future overall agenda on the use of the spectrum; (Market Oversight: Enforcement of Infrastructure Sharing, Universal Service Compliance and Social Obligations attached to the spectrum auction; local government elections regulations. Virtual meeting platform, 14:00 – 17:00
Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment: Briefing by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. DFFE Budget Vote 32 Debate. M46, Marks Building, 10:00
Standing Committee on The Auditor-General: Briefing by Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) as per the resolution of SCoAG Report on Briefings by DPCI and SIU on processing of matters referred to it by the AGSA. Consideration and adoption of the SCoAG Annual Performance Plan for 2026/2027. Consideration and adoption of the SCoAG Report on AGSA Oversight Visit on 27 March 2026. Virtual meeting platform, 08:00 – 10:00
Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans: Consideration of draft Budget Reports. Consideration of outstanding minutes. Virtual meeting platform, 09:00 – 10:00
For the full schedule of committee meetings (updated regularly), please visit: https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/Docs/zlist/01dc2qim7uf6zn6vztvrdyx5ymqgn42yfg.pdf
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament Spokesperson
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