One of Parliament’s primary oversight functions relates to law-making – this encompasses passing new laws, amending existing laws, and repealing or abolishing old laws. This function is guided by the Constitution of South Africa, which governs and applies to all law and conduct within South Africa. Part of that function includes soliciting comments from members of the public – this is important because legislation affects ordinary South Africans and South Africa’s democratic system allows citizens to have a say in matters that affect them.
There are numerous bills – drafts of laws – before Parliament now, in various stages of their journey through the legislature. Not all of them are at the comments stage but of those that are, there are two particularly important bills of interest to Corruption Watch, because of its work towards transparent and effective public procurement and the promotion of ethics and good governance at all levels of government.
Comment on the Public Procurement Bill
The first is the Public Procurement Bill, which is currently before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The process is open for comments from stakeholders and interested parties, with a deadline of 12h00 on Monday, 12 February 2024. Comments must be sent to the NCOP Select Committee on Finance, through the committee secretary Nkululeko Mangweni at nmangweni@parliament.gov.za, or on (021) 403 3782, or physically at 3rd Floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town, 8000.
The Public Procurement Bill [B18B – 2023] aims to:
- regulate public procurement.
- prescribe a framework within which preferential procurement must be implemented; and
- provide for matters connected therewith.
Those who want to make submissions at public hearings on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 should specifically request this. These hearings will be conducted through Zoom.
Comment on the Public Service Commission Bill
The other bill of particular interest to Corruption Watch is the Public Service Commission Bill [B30 – 2023], which is before the National Assembly (NA). The call for comments has been sent out and the Public Service and Administration portfolio committee invites input from interested individuals, academia, organised labour, and relevant stakeholders to submit written comments and indicate interest in making oral submission on the bill.
The window closes on Friday, 16 February 2024. Comments must be sent to the committee secretary Masixole Zibeko at pscb@parliament.gov.za.
The Public Service Commission Bill [B30 – 2023] seeks to:
- regulate the Public Service Commission in accordance with the provisions of section 196 of the Constitution.
- regulate the procedure for the appointment of commissioners of the Public Service Commission.
- provide for the establishment of the Secretariat of the Commission to support the work of the Commission.
- repeal the Public Service Commission Act, 1997; and
- provide for matters connected therewith.
Not sure how to make a submission? Here are the guidelines from Parliament.
Send your tips and suggestions for #Budget2024
A call has also gone out to members of the public to send their 2024 budget tips and suggestions on the following topics:
- municipal finance.
- spending priorities of government.
- addressing a large budget deficit.
- stabilising state-owned entity finances.
- managing the energy crisis.
- tax revenues.
- debt sustainability.
With finance minister Enoch Godongwana due to deliver the National Budget Speech this month, comments can be emailed to National Treasury using this online form, by no later than Sunday, 11 February 2024.
