Opposition parties push for Parliament to establish committee on the Presidency

CAPE TOWN - Opposition parties including the uMkhonto weSizwe, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ActionSA and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) are pushing for Parliament to establish a committee on the Presidency. 

It’s a hangover from the previous administration that was deferred to this one after an overseas study tour last year on international best practice. 

The parties said the Presidency must account directly to Parliament, especially given the growing number of portfolios housed there. 

Just hours after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s executive was sworn into office on Wednesday, Parliament’s rules committee met to discuss the configuration of corresponding committees. 

The expanded Cabinet means Parliament’s committees will also increase from 27 to 30. 

This excludes joint committees on intelligence, ethics, defence, the financial management of Parliament and the women’s caucus.

But it’s a specific committee to oversee the Presidency that opposition parties are insisting on, including the EFF’s Veronica Mente. 

"We want a vote one committee, where vote one is going to be scrutinised, and all the other entities."

ActionSA’s Athol Trollip said it was not enough for the Presidency to report to the portfolio committee on monitoring and evaluation.

"It’s to oversee a Presidency that can grow like Topsy and we’ve seen it grow like Topsy, so that is the experience, reinforced by 30 years of experience and we still don’t have a committee to oversee the Presidency."

Last year’s benchmarking study report will now be shared with new parties, while a rules sub-committee once again takes up the matter.