Media Statement - Committee Welcomes Parliament's Progress but Is Concerned Over Security Strategy Delay

• The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament welcomed progress in Parliament's performance and executive accountability efforts.
• The committee expressed concern over delays in finalizing the Integrated Security Strategy and recent security breaches.
• Improvements were noted in the National Assembly's response rates to parliamentary questions, while the NCOP maintained a 100% rate for oral questions.
• New initiatives, including an Accountability Standards Framework and potential enforcement mechanisms, are being developed to ensure substantive executive responses.
• The committee also highlighted critical vacancies in the Parliamentary Budget Office, including the Director's position, as a priority for staffing.

The committee, through its Co-Chairperson Ms Sanny Ndhlovu, emphasized the critical importance of having resilient security arrangements.

The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament recently concluded a review of the institution's performance, acknowledging significant strides while simultaneously voicing serious concerns regarding critical areas. Following a briefing from the parliamentary administration, the committee welcomed the progress made in Parliament's overall functioning and its dedicated efforts to enhance executive accountability. This positive assessment emerged from an evaluation of the institution's performance during the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, its mid-year assessment, and the ongoing institutional transformation programme.

Despite these commendations, the committee expressed considerable apprehension over the protracted delay in finalizing Parliament's Integrated Security Strategy. This concern was particularly acute given recent media reports detailing security breaches within the parliamentary precinct, a location designated as a national key point. Members sought clarification on existing security protocols, underscoring the imperative for robust protective measures.

The Secretary to Parliament, Mr Xolile George, confirmed the occurrence of certain security breaches, acknowledging the validity of the committee's concerns. He informed the committee that the administration is actively collaborating with the South African Police Service, the State Security Agency, and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. This integrated approach is designed to clarify institutional roles, improve coordination, and establish clear lines of accountability among all involved entities.

The committee, through its Co-Chairperson Ms Sanny Ndhlovu, emphasized the critical importance of having resilient security arrangements. Given Parliament's esteemed status and the potentially severe repercussions of any security failures, the committee urged the administration to prioritize meeting the security-related targets set for the 2026/27 financial year. Ms Ndhlovu also stressed the broader need to address all outstanding targets and bolster the institution's capacity to effectively fulfill its core mandates of lawmaking, oversight, and public participation.

A key area of discussion revolved around the executive's responsiveness to parliamentary inquiries. The committee noted an improvement in the National Assembly's (NA) response rates to parliamentary questions, with oral questions seeing an approximate 5% increase and written questions improving by just over 20%. The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) maintained an exemplary 100% response rate for oral questions. However, members articulated that merely receiving responses is insufficient; greater emphasis must be placed on the substantive quality of these replies, ensuring the proper implementation of House resolutions, and diligently following up on executive undertakings.

To address these qualitative concerns, the parliamentary administration is developing an Accountability Standards Framework and central tracking mechanisms. These initiatives aim to establish clearer expectations for timely and substantive responses from the executive, while also strengthening the process for following up when responses are deemed inadequate. Furthermore, matters pertaining to parliamentary questions and House resolutions have been referred to a subcommittee of the Rules Committee. This subcommittee is currently considering proposals for enforcement mechanisms and sanctions to address non-compliance with parliamentary rules by members of the executive, with finalization anticipated by the end of January next year. Ms Ndhlovu indicated that the committee expects these proposals to be ready for further deliberation upon the resumption of work in the new year.

During the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, Parliament successfully achieved 12 out of its 17 targets. A mid-year assessment classified 12 indicators as being on track, with four others noted as in progress. The Integrated Security Strategy, however, was specifically identified as lagging behind schedule.

Beyond the security concerns, the committee also raised the issue of significant vacancies within the Parliamentary Budget Office, including the crucial Director's position. The Chairperson underscored the urgent need to fill these roles, committing to bring this matter to the attention of the relevant internal structures to ensure these critical positions are staffed without further delay.

Source: Original reporting via Parliament of South Africa.