The committees of the Parliament of South Africa are appointed to oversee the work of government and to process legislation in domains relevant to their designated portfolio. They are composed of Members of Parliament from either parliamentary chamber. Portfolio committees and most standing committees are peopled by Members of the National Assembly, while select committees comprise Permanent Delegates to the National Council of Provinces; these shadow the work of a particular government department or group of departments. Parliament may also establish joint committees, with members from both houses, and either chamber, alone or jointly, may establish ad hoc committees that operate for a shorter timeframe under a narrower mandate.
Although committees are largely regulated in terms of the Rules of Parliament, the basic framework for their operation derives from Chapter Four of the Constitution of South Africa. The Constitution provides for committees' powers to summon any persons or institutions to provide evidence, for their obligation to provide for public participation in committee activities, and for members' freedom of speech and parliamentary privilege during committee proceedings. In terms of the Constitution, Parliament may not exclude the public or the media from any committee sittings "unless it is reasonable and justifiable to do so in an open and democratic society".
Parliamentary political parties are represented in committees in proportions that are generally representative of their strength in Parliament. Because committee chairpersons are elected by and from among the members of each committee, the majority party in Parliament has the most influence in selecting chairpersons.
National Assembly Portfolio committees The portfolio committees of the National Assembly deal with the examining of bills, departmental budget votes, and are responsible for oversight of the work their respective department does. As of 2024, the current portfolio committees and the chairs of each committee are as follows: + Portfolio committees Committee Chair ResponsibilityNameSince Portfolio Committee on AgricultureDina Pule2024 Department of Agriculture Portfolio Committee on Basic Education Joy Maimela2024 Department of Basic Education and statutory entities Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies Khusela Sangoni2024 Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and statutory entities Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration Zweli Mkhize2024 Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and statutory entitiesPortfolio Committee on Correctional ServicesAnthea Ramolobeng2024Department of Correctional Services Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military VeteransMolefi Legoete2024 Department of Defence and Military Veterans and statutory entities Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour Boyce Makhosonke Maneli2024 Department of Employment and Labour and associated entitiesPortfolio Committee on Electricity and EnergyQueenie Mvana2024Department of Energy Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Nqabisa Gantsho2024 Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and associated entities Portfolio Committee on Health Sibongiseni Dhlomo 2024 Department of Health and related entities Portfolio Committee on Higher Education Tebogo Letsie2024Department of Higher Education and Training and related entities Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs Steve Chabane2021 Department of Home Affairs and related entities Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements Albert Mammoga Seabi2024 Department of Human Settlements and related entities Portfolio Committee on International Relations and CooperationSupra Mahumapelo2021 Department of International Relations and Cooperation and related entities Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development Xola Nqola2024 Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and related entitiesPortfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development Albert Mncwango 2024 Department of Rural Development and Land Reform Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources Mikateko Mahlaule2024 Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and related entities Portfolio Committee on Police Ian Cameron2024 Department of Police and related entities Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration Jan de Villiers2024 Department of Public Service and Administration Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Teliswa Mgweba2024Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure Carol Phiri2024 Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and associated entitiesPortfolio Committee on Science, Technology, and InnovationTsakani Goodness Shiviti2024Department of Science and Innovation Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development Masefako Dikgale2024 Department of Small Business Development and related entities Portfolio Committee on Social Development Bridget Masango2024 Department of Social Development and related entities Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture Joe McGluwa2024 Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and related entities Portfolio Committee on Tourism Lungi Gcabashe2024 Department of Tourism and related entities Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry Mzwandile Masina2024 Department of Trade and Industry and related entities Portfolio Committee on Transport Donald Selamolela2024 Department of Transport and related entities Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation Leon Basson2024 Department of Water and Sanitation and related entities Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Lindelwa Dunjwa2024 Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and related entities
Standing committees + Standing committees Committee ChairNameSince Standing Committee on AppropriationsMmusi Maimane2024 Standing Committee on Auditor-GeneralWouter Wessels2024 Standing Committee on FinanceJoe Maswanganyi2019 Standing Committee on Public AccountsSongezo Zibi2024
National Council of Provinces Select committees Select committees are made up of Permanent Delegates to the National Council of Provinces. Since the National Council of Provinces, is much smaller than the National Assembly, select committees oversee the work of more than one department. As of 2024, the current select committees and chairs of each committee are as follows: + Select committees Committee Chair ResponsibilityNameSince Select Committee on Appropriations Tidimalo Legwase2024 Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform, and Mineral ResourcesMpho Modise2024 Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration Mxolisi Kaunda2024Select Committee on Economic Development and TradeSonja Boshoff2024 Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries Makhi Feni2024 Select Committee on Finance Sanny Ndhlov2024 National Treasury Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings Ofentse Mokae2024Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Ministries in PresidencyFrederik Badenhorst2024 Select Committee on Security and Justice Jane Mananiso2024 Department of Police, Department of Justice and Correctional Services, Department of Defence and Military Veterans, Department of Home Affairs and Department of International Relations and CooperationSelect Committee on Social ServicesDesery Fienies2024
Joint committees Joint committees A joint committee consists of members of Parliament from both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. + Joint committee Committee Chairs ResponsibilityNameSince Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interest Lydia MoshodiBheki Nkosi2019 Ethical conduct of MPs and their financial disclosures
Joint standing committees + Joint standing committees Committee ChairNameSince Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament Peace Mabe Dikeledi Mahlangu2019 Joint Standing Committee on Defence Elleck NchabelengCyril Xaba2019 Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence Jerome Maake2019
See also List of Commissions of Inquiry in South Africa Committee for Section 194 Enquiry
References