President to give nation an update
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa returns to the Natonal Assembly this afternoon to update the nation on the country’s investment campaign to grow the economy, create jobs and reduce inequality.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko said yesterday that Ramaphosa would brief the parliamentarians on the measures being undertaken to restore the credibility of the country’s security agencies.
This is the second time in two months that Ramaphosa will be in the National Assembly to answer oral questions from parliamentarians.
The state of affairs in the State Security Agency and the SAPS’ troubled crime intelligence division, as well as the newly-appointed special envoys on investment are set to take centre stage.
Yesterday, Parliament spokesman, Moloto Mothapo, said holding regular question and answer sessions was one way in which parliament held the president and the executive to account.
“In terms of the rules of parliament, the president is scheduled to appear once per quarter to answer questions in the National Assembly to deal with matters of national importance,” he said.
Mothapo said up to six questions could be asked during the three-hour session.
He said the questions would cover a range of matters, including appointment of four special envoys on investment, the investment conference scheduled for September 2018, reduction of barriers to small businesses and establishment of a commission of inquiry into the crime intelligence division and the State Security Agency.
Some of the questions include that from the ANC’s Adrian Williams who wants to know what message the team of envoys would convey to the potential investors.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane will ask Ramaphosa about the details of assurances the envoys would give to potential investors to ensure the National Development targets were met despite the envisaged expropriation of land without compensation.
Cope’s Deidre Carter wants to know if Ramaphosa would appoint a commission of inquiry to investigate the crime intelligence unit and SSA.
In her question, Carter says there has been serious allegations of malfeasance, corruption and gross abuse of state resources within the crime intelligence division and the SSA.
The ANC’s Hope Malgas will ask how the nation could collectively deal with socio-economic challenges while African Independent Congress’ Mandla Galo will ask about measures put in place to reduce barriers for small business to enter the market.
Last month, Ramaphosa appointed former finance minister Trevor Manuel, former finance deputy minister Mcebisi Jonas, executive chairperson of Afropulse Group Phumzile Langeni and chairman of Liberty Group and former CEO of Standard Bank Jacko Maree as special envoys on investment.