Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi is due this week to receive a report on allegations of racial discrimination against black healthcare providers.
The report, due to be handed over in Pretoria on Monday, follows a section 59 investigation into allegations of racial discrimination by SA’s medical schemes.
Members of the National Health Care Professionals Association and Solutionist Thinkers went public in May 2019 with allegations that they were being discriminated against by medical schemes and administrators. According to a health department statement, they alleged their claims were being withheld based on members’ race and ethnicity.
“The affected parties appealed to the minister of health for intervention. Accordingly, the minister directed the Council for Medical Schemes to establish an independent investigation panel known as section 59 inquiry to probe the allegations, identify trends and make recommendations that may require legal or policy interventions, amendments to legislation and regulations.”
The three-member panel, which comprises advocates Tembeka Ngcukaitobi (chair), Adila Hassim and Kerry Williams, has concluded its report and is ready to hand it over to the minister for consideration.
Meanwhile, a number of portfolio committees are set to hold meetings in a busy week for parliament.
On Tuesday, the joint standing committee on intelligence is scheduled to hold closed-door meetings in the National Assembly.
The basic education portfolio committee is to be briefed by its department on the Basic Education Laws Act regulations and implementation relating to grade R admissions.
The select committee on finance in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will be briefed by the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provincial treasuries on their quarterly reports and the performance of their entities.
National Assembly deputy speaker Annelie Lotriet is expected to brief the home affairs portfolio committee on the Electoral Commission Amendment Bill.
Also on Tuesday, the department of correctional services is due to brief the relevant committee on progress made in implementing the audit action plan, including measures aimed at reducing irregular expenditure.
On Wednesday, the NCOP’s select committee on economic development & trade will be briefed by the small business department on its budget vote and annual performance plans.
The select committee on public infrastructure & minister in the presidency will brief the NCOP on its strategic plan; the 2025/26 annual performance plan; and 2025/26 estimates of national expenditure (budget) of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA and the SA National Road Agency.
On Friday, the department of higher education & training will brief the relevant committee on the independent panel for the selection and recommendations of the Sector Education and Training Authorities chairs.
Also expected to dominate the political scene is the memorial services for former deputy president David Mabuza, who died last week after a long illness. He will be given a state funeral category 2 funeral on Saturday.
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