Ramaphosa, justice & security cluster ministers set to answer oral questions in Parliament this week

CAPE TOWN - Parliament is set to put shoulder to the wheel this week, with the executive also due in the House for the first time since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) to answer oral questions. 
 
This includes President Cyril Ramaphosa and ministers from the justice and security cluster. 
 
The Auditor-General will on Tuesday also be presenting the state of the financial health of the country’s municipalities over the past financial year.
 
This week, Parliament’s portfolio committees will largely be grappling with new legislation and the annual performance plans from government departments and entities. 
 
The ministers of justice, police, correctional services and home affairs will be in the House on Wednesday to answer MPs’ questions face-to-face. 
 
It will be the first time non-African National Congress (ANC) ministers will find themselves on the other side of the podium. 
 
Among the questions MPs want answers on include the pace of state capture prosecutions, recent viral prison videos, the high number of kidnappings and security threats, such as military training for Libyan nationals. 
 
Before heading off to Zimbabwe for an agricultural show, Ramaphosa will be expected in Parliament on Thursday. 
 
It will be the first time he’s facing a Q&A session since being sworn in for a second term. 
 
His questions will include the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund, private investment in the logistics sector and the country’s foreign policy. 
 
There’s bound to be unhappiness from opposition parties that their full complement of members won’t be able to attend these question sessions due to physical space constraints and will have to join via a virtual platform. 
 
A dome tent to be erected for plenary sittings during the post-fire reconstruction is not expected to be ready for use before October.