Chairperson
19 March 2009
The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Mr Mninwa Mahlangu, MP,
believes the NCOP has not done enough to monitor the implementation of laws
passed by Parliament.
Mr Mahlangu said there was a serious lack of information on how the
electorate was benefiting from the laws that Parliament passed. He said the
NCOP could play a huge role in this regard through primarily focussing on
monitoring the implementation of section 76 legislation (Bills that affect the
provinces)
Addressing the media on Wednesday night in Cape Town, the Chairperson said
Parliament should dedicate more resources to monitor the impact of the
laws.
âWe seem to have lagged behind in overseeing the implementation of the laws
that we have passed. The issue of capacity is a contributing factor in this
regard,â said Mr Mahlangu.
Oversight could be done in many ways, including putting questions to the
executive, site visits and public meetings (Taking Parliament to the People),
he said.
âThrough outreach programmes we are able to pay attention to key service
delivery areas.â
Mr Mahlangu said another challenge facing the NCOP was the capacity to
ensure that legislation passed in the house was able to pass muster
constitutionally. He said it was important for Parliament to satisfy itself
that the legislation conformed to the Constitution in all respects.
âParliament should develop capacity and set up mechanisms to ensure that
legislation that is brought before or passed by the houses is of sound quality
constitutionally,â said Mr Mahlangu.
This, he said, could include a mechanism to assist Presiding Officers to
scrutinise legislation, in order to satisfy themselves, before such legislation
was finalised or sent to the President for assent.
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
19 March 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
