Parliament allocates R71m for medical aid for former MPs
Speaker Thoko Didiza at the social services cluster of ministers address in the National Assembly in oral Q&A session at Good Hope Chamber on 4 September 2024 in Cape Town.Picture: Gallo Images/Brenton Geach
Parliament has set aside R71.2 million for medical aid contributions for former members of parliament and provincial legislatures.
This is part of parliament's requested R5.08 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year, as announced by National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza during the budget vote debate on Tuesday.
However, the National Treasury allocated only R3.58 billion to the instituition.
Notably, the allocation for former legislators represents a substantial portion of the approved parliamentary budget.
According to Didiza, the remaining funds include R500 million specifically earmarked for the restoration and refurbishment of parliamentary buildings following the fire damage in January 2022.
MP benefits dominate budget allocation
Didiza revealed that '42% of our budget goes towards members' benefits, such as remuneration, entitlements, medical aid for current and former members of parliament and provincial legislators as well as the transfers to political parties for constituency work, and political party administration'.
This substantial allocation shows the financial commitment to support both active and retired parliamentarians.
Parliament rebuilding and infrastructure investment
The budget also allocated R500 million for the restoration of parliament as it tries to recover from the fire damage that has severely impacted its operations.
'155 offices for members were completed and 54 are under refurbishment to be finished by end of September 2025,' Didiza said.
She said the rebuilding project involves parliament, Public Works and Infrastructure, and National Treasury, with parliament taking responsibility for the reconstruction efforts.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa is the implementing agent for the project.
'The architectural design was done and shared with members before finalisation,' Didiza added.
ALSO READ: 'Luxury cloaked in secrecy' – Ntshavheni explains why she won't disclose her official travel expenses
Committee resources and operational priorities
The budget allocates R3 million per portfolio committee.
Didiza emphasised that 'what drives our processes in parliament are committees.
'It is therefore important to ensure that committees are adequately resourced and have an insight into the resources they have on an annual basis for better planning.'
Enhanced resources for public participation have been included to improve public hearings on lawmaking by portfolio committees.
Dididza said the institution is also expanding its research capacity through additional researcher appointments.
It is also recruiting more language practitioners to address service gaps identified by members.
ALSO READ: EFF calls for Ad Hoc Committee investigation into Mkhwanazi's allegations, rejects portfolio committee investigations
Legislative performance and oversight
Parliament's legislative output during the past year included 15 bills passed by the National Assembly and referred to the National Council of Provinces.
Twenty-seven bills are currently being processed by committees.
In terms of parliamentary questions, the National Assembly processed 572 oral questions to the Executive, including the president and deputy president.
Almost 99% of the questions received replies, according to Didiza.
However, written questions showed a concerning response rate, with only 49% of the 3 315 questions posed receiving answers.
'I have raised concerns to the executive through the leader of government business on this matter. Members will remember that two weeks ago we reprimanded the members of the executive in this very house on this matter,' the speaker stated.
ALSO READ: Treasury allocates R750m to offset Pepfar funding withdrawal as Motsoaledi tables health budget
Priorities and democratic accountability
The budget supports parliament's identified priorities for the seventh administration.
This includes strengthening oversight and accountability frameworks, enhancing the legislative process and public involvement, improving public appointment processes, and improving international engagement.
Legacy issues and reform implementation
The budget also addresses several legacy issues from previous parliaments, including the implementation of recommendations from panels and commissions.
Dididza said parliament has been engaging with institutions regarding the Asmal Report recommendations to review Chapter 9 institutions and is following up on outputs from the High-level Panel on the Assessment of Key Legislation.
According to the speaker, progress has been made on the recommendations of the state capture report.
She said several anti-corruption laws were passed since then, including the Financial Matters Amendment Act, the General Laws Amendment Act, National Prosecuting Amendment Act, and the Public Procurement Act.
READ NEXT: Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu: Speaker Thoko Didiza rules on parliament debate
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Eyewitness News
Gigaba doesn't believe drawn-out budget process damaged Treasury's credibility
JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament (MP) and former Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba said he doesn't believe 2025's drawn-out budget process has damaged National Treasury's credibility. Treasury's budget process was tested for the first time when parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) disagreed on fiscal policy, forcing leaders to backtrack on proposals. ALSO READ: - Higher Education Dept's budget passed amidst fiery exchanges between political parties - Police ministry's budget approved but concerns linger over 'rot' in SAPS - National Assembly passes several dept budgets despite objections from most opposition parties After three attempts since the aborted budget speech in February, Budget 2025 was finally passed in the National Assembly on Wednesday night. Gigaba, who just recently obtained his PhD, spoke to EWN, reflecting on how Treasury fared during the recent headwinds. Generally thought to be a respected and credible institution, the frustrating budget process put the National Treasury in a tight spot somewhere between fiscal consolidation and political manoeuvring. 'It remains a strong institution for South Africa, but obviously, Treasury now relies on the rest of government and on political parties to be able to negotiate and find compromises to ensure budget processes go ahead within the regulated timelines,' said Gigaba. But he said there must be better mechanisms to avoid similar issues down the line. 'Otherwise, we will lose credibility in international bodies, and it will affect the credibility of our fiscal policy and processes. It will also affect the position of the country with regards to credit rating agencies, investor opinion, and just how the public views how government functions.' This is the first time the ANC has needed the buy-in of other parties to pass the budget after losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 general elections.
Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Eyewitness News
Police ministry's budget approved but concerns linger over 'rot' in SAPS
JOHANNESBURG - The budget for the beleaguered police department was given the thumbs up by a majority of MPs in the National Assembly on Wednesday evening. The House is currently voting on the Appropriation Bill in the final stage of the budget process. Every department's budget must be approved for the Appropriation Bill to pass. ALSO READ: • Higher Education Dept's budget passed amidst fiery exchanges between political parties • National Assembly passes several dept budgets despite objections from most opposition parties • BOSA's Maimane wants Ramaphosa to mandate SIU to probe corruption claims within SAPS • Failure to finalise budget will hurt SA's vulnerable members of society the most - Masondo While MPs have agreed on the police budget, claims of corruption and rot in the SAPS ranks again took centre stage in the House. This follows explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that senior politicians had infiltrated top security structures and were colluding with drug cartels. The Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Ian Cameron: "The Democratic Alliance remains gravely concerned by the rot in parts of the senior South African Police Service ranks. South Africa's become a hotspot for organised crime, now ranked among the top three in Africa and in the top 10 in the world. We desperately need urgent intervention." While the MK Party also called for urgent intervention, MP David Skosana said that the party rejected the budget. "The allegations against Senzo Mchunu by General Mkhwanazi reflects the kind of rot that sits in the executive. As the MK Party, we want to reiterate that we cannot and do not allow General Mkhwanazi's bravery to fall victim to the manipulation of facts and cover-up by this administration."
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Parliament agrees to establish ad hoc committee into Mkhwanazi's allegations
There were no objections from any political parties and the committee was unanimously established. The National Assembly (NA) has unanimously agreed to establish an ad hoc committee into the explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi regarding security matters that have implications for the country's national security. The joint committee meeting in Parliament between the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development took the decision on Wednesday. Ad hoc committee It also recommended that the committee should identify any legislative or policy failures that may have contributed to the policing crisis. The decision to establish an ad-hoc committee follows a directive from National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza earlier this month asking the committees to come up with an appropriate approach to oversight concerning the allegations. The committees had considered other options, including conducting a full investigative inquiry under the Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act and exercising their conferring powers in terms of National Assembly Rule 169 — which dictates how committees can or must consult or meet with each other. ALSO READ: Police minister Mchunu 'now under criminal investigation' Oversight Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said following the committees' consideration of the matter, as part of their recommendations, they identified various issues arising from the allegations as falling within the NA's accountability and oversight function. 'The issues include the alleged unlawful decision by Minister Mchunu to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), the alleged unlawful removal of 121 case dockets from the PKTT on the direction of the Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, the alleged moratorium by Minister Mchunu on filling vacancies within the Saps' Crime Intelligence Unit. 'It also includes whether Minister Mchunu misled Parliament about the nature of his relationship with Mr Brown Mogotsi, whether the award of a R360 million contract to Mr Matlala's company for the provision of healthcare services to Saps was irregular and the alleged interference by IDAC in police matters, including jurisdictional issues, among others,' Mothapo said. ANC Support ANC MP Mogodu Moela said the ANC supports the ad hoc committee and that Mkhwanazi's allegations 'cannot be left unexamined.' Moela said it 'paints a disturbing picture.' 'Parliament has the authority to get to the bottom of these claims. We cannot allow a culture of impunity to take root. We will not shield wrongdoing.' There were no objections from any political parties and the committee was unanimously established. Moela said the ANC will also support the judicial commission of inquiry established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa appoints Gwede Mantashe as acting police minister Final report The report, which will be submitted to the NA for consideration, also emphasised the need for the NA to ensure an expeditious process. The ad hoc committee would also sit and determine their terms of reference. The committees have recommended that the ad hoc committee process be concluded within 90 days from it being formed. Allegations Mkhwanazi alleged political interference in police operations, claiming that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya had meddled. These allegedly include issuing letters to disband a task force, halt crime intelligence appointments, and withdraw case dockets to Sibiya's office. Both Mchunu and Sibiya have been placed on a leave of absence. ALSO READ: Fake commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazis pop up online
