PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES


duty to alert Parliament to any issues identified during such oversight interventions.


Oversight in committee However, it is parliamentary committees that are one of South Africa’s most powerful mechanisms to ensure that the government is accountable at all times. Ultimately, committees conduct oversight over the executive. In brief, committees scrutinize legislation, oversee government action and interact with the public.


Parliament relies on committees,


referring all sorts of matters to them for consideration. Committees, for their part, are an integral part of the work of Parliament, and report back


to the House on all issues referred to them, even simple requests for information. One of the most important aspects of their oversight function is committee consideration of annual reports of organs of state, including the reports of the Auditor- General. If necessary, a committee can request a briefing from the organ of state or hold a fact-finding visit. Committees have to inform


Parliament of any decisions they have reached – or if they have not been able to reach a decision. Finally, to ensure credible


oversight and accountability, one parliamentary rule requires that committees report to the Assembly on their activities every year. The more than 50 committees


established by the constitution to facilitate oversight and monitor the government are known as the “engines” of Parliament for good reason. They also hold public hearings where civil society can make presentations or submissions. Over and above that they do not confine their work to the official Chambers, but frequently travel to remote rural communities on oversight visits where they consult not only the local leadership but also ordinary citizens. Their tasks on an oversight visit are:


• Identify any problems within the area of oversight, • Investigate the identified prob- lems, • Establish what needs to be done


The Parliamentarian | 2013: Issue One - South Africa | 37


Opposite page: NCOP Chairperson Hon. Johannes Mninwa Mahlangu listens closely to a resident attending Taking Parliament to the People. Above: Oversight visits are made to schools to check on conditions.


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