From Tuesday this week, MPs in the National Council of Provinces and the National Assembly will hold policy debates on budgets, including those of home affairs, parliament and the presidency.
The head of state and his deputy are to appear in parliament this week.
On Thursday afternoon in a hybrid sitting, President Cyril Ramaphosa will present the budget for the office of the presidency. MPs will question him and comment on the government’s allocation of funds for his team during the debate.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in a statement that Ramaphosa looked forward to delivering his budget speech. It was an opportunity for Ramaphosa to update the country on priorities raised in the state of the nation address in February, said Magwenya.
Deputy President David Mabuza will answer questions from MPs in the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon. The DA’s Siviwe Gwarube wants details on Mabuza’s performance agreement, including the five assessment criteria used. Kenneth Meshoe of the ACDP has asked Mabuza if he and health minister Joe Phaahla will engage with MPs before signing a proposed global treaty on Covid-19 and other regulations from the World Health Organisation.
ANC MP Alfred Tseki has asked Mabuza about what the interministerial committee on water and sanitation’s plans to do to support the reconstruction and integration of infrastructure after floods in three provinces.
In the light of “difficulties” at Eskom, ANC MP Sindiswa Maneli has asked Mabuza what the government is doing to meet energy demand, reduce load-shedding and ensure a just energy transition to reduce SA’s carbon footprint.
DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone has asked Mabuza about the government’s progress in rapid response to underserviced areas of KwaZulu-Natal, especially when co-ordinating across levels of government.
Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha begins this week as re-elected ANC chair after a landslide win at the province’s regional conference at the weekend. Ramaphosa closed the party gathering on Sunday and fielded questions about the robbery of US dollars hidden in furniture at his Phala Phala game farm in early 2020. This robbery is likely to continue to dominate the news in the week ahead.
ANC leaders in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng continue preparations to contend for top jobs at their regional conferences. KwaZulu-Natal reportedly has the largest tally of ANC members in SA, followed by Limpopo. The ANC’s national conference takes place in six months’ time.
Competition for KwaZulu-Natal ANC chair continues to intensify as branches and members prepare for the provincial gathering in July. Provincial chair Sihle Zikalala, seen as an Ramaphosa ally, will be trying to retain his post. Finance MEC Nomusa Dube is considered a front-runner.
Some branches have in recent months rallied behind former KwaZulu-Natal director-general Nhlanhla Ngidi, who they hope will overtake Zikalala. Others expect Zandile Gumede will nab a seat in the top five. Gumede is a former mayor of eThekwini, now charged with corruption.
EFF leader Julius Malema is set to brief reporters, but the party has given no indication of the subject. On Friday, Malema and EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi appeared in the Randburg magistrate’s court in connection with an alleged assault on a police officer at Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral in 2018.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.