Proceedings of the national assembly

1. 
   Report of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers for 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013.
   

1. 
   Government Notice No 56, published in Government Gazette No 38432, dated 30 January 2015: Declaration of peace officers in terms of section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No 51 of 1977): Inspectors appointed in terms of section 81(1) of the Limpopo Gambling Act, 2013.
   

1. 
   Mr G G Hill-Lewis
   

1. 
   Remote Gambling Bill [PMB 3 – 2015] (National Assembly – proposed sec 76) (see below) [Bill and prior notice of its introduction published in Government Gazette No. 38221 of 19 November 2014.]
   

Introduction and referral to the Portfolio Committee on Labour of the National Assembly, as well as referral to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for classification in terms of Joint Rule 160.

2. 
   Mr M Waters
   

1. 
   Children’s Amendment Bill [PMB 2 – 2015] (National Assembly – proposed sec 75) (see below) [Bill and prior notice of its introduction published in Government Gazette No. 38222 of 19 November 2014.]
   

Introduction and referral to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development of the National Assembly, as well as referral to the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) for classification in terms of Joint Rule 160.

1. 
   Report and Financial Statements of the South African Post Office SOC Ltd for 2013 14, including the Report of the Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information for 2013-14.
   

(2) The following papers are referred to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation for consideration and report. The Reports of the Auditor-General and Independent Auditors on the Financial Statements and Performance Information are referred to the Committee on Public Accounts for consideration:

(i) Government Notice No R.930, published in Government Gazette No 38240, dated 28 November 2014: Amendment of Schedule No 2 (No 2/1/362), in terms of section 56 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).

(o) Government Notice No R.936, published in Government Gazette No 38240, 28 November 2014: Amendment of Schedule No 4 (No 4/6/1) in terms of section 75 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No 91 of 1964).

1. 
   Letter from the President of the Republic dated 25 January 2015 to the Speaker of the National Assembly, informing members of the Assembly of the employment of members of the South African National Defence Force for service in fulfillment of international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards Mozambique.
   

(6) The following paper is referred to the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation for consideration and to the Portfolio Committee on Women in The Presidency:

1. 
   Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Russian Federation on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, in terms of section 231(3) of the Constitution, 1996.
   

2. 
   Annex to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Russian Federation on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
   

1. 
   The Speaker
   

(a) Reply from the Minister of Police to recommendations in the Report of Ad Hoc Committee on Report by President Regarding Security Upgrades at Nkandla Private Residence of the President, as adopted by the House on 13 November 2014.

1. 
   Mr G G Hill-Lewis
   

1. 
   Remote Gambling Bill [PMB 3 – 2015] (National Assembly – proposed sec 76) (see below) [Bill and prior notice of its introduction published in Government Gazette No. 38221 of 19 November 2014.]
   

1. 
   REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES ON THE OVERSIGHT VISIT TO KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, DATED 17 FEBRUARY 2015
   

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, having undertaken an oversight visit to KwaZulu-Natal Province from 24 – 26 November 2014 reports as follows:

1. 
   Delegation
   

The delegation of the Portfolio Committee composed of Ms MR Semenya, ANC (Chairperson and leader of the delegation); Mr CHM Maxegwana, ANC; Mrs TMA Tongwane, ANC; Mr TRJE Ramokhoase, ANC; Mrs A Steyn, DA; Ms Z Jongbloed, DA and Mr SC Mncwabe, NFP. The Committee was supported by Ms A Kakaza, Committee Secretary; Ms N Mgxashe, Content Advisor; Mr N Ginindza, Committee Researcher (Fisheries); Ms N Qwabe, Committee Researcher (Agriculture) and Ms C Maledu, Acting Committee Assistant.

2. 
   TERMS OF REFERENCE
   

On 8 July 2014, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (hereinafter referred to as the Department) was requested by the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) to present its Strategic Plan, Annual Performance Plans and Budget as required by the Public Finance Management Act (Act, No. 1 of 1999). In its presentation, the Department reported planned activities for the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period with specific focus on the previously disadvantaged smallholder sector in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. During the deliberations, concerns were raised regarding baseline data for some of the reported targets as well as the impact of the reportedly achieved targets on service delivery.

• 
  the implementation of the Fetsa Tlala Food Production Initiative that was introduced by the President in 2013 to address immediate household food insecurity;
  
• 
  support that is given to smallholder and subsistence producers for enhanced food production at national and household level through programmes such as the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP) and Ilima/Letsema;
  
• 
  the state of readiness for the implementation of the Smallscale Fisheries Policy, which is aimed at benefiting previously disadvantaged coastal communities some of whom rely mainly on fisheries resources for livelihood;
  
• 
  the effectiveness in which the Department’s Mechanisation Programme funds were utilised in KZN and to determine whether the Mechanisation Programme was making a positive difference in the lives of people on the ground – value for money; and
  
• 
  progress made on the development of infrastructure such as irrigation schemes, fences, farm buildings, roads, etc.
  

2. 
   COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
   

• 
  Commodity-based production including agroprocessing and value-addition.
  
• 
  Rural development – communal estates.
  
• 
  Establishment of Agri-villages – with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR).
  
• 
  River valley development – with DRDLR.
  

In terms of Fetsa Tlala, it was reported that the Province planned to put 23 260 hectares (ha) under production for the 2014/15 financial year with an investment of R225 million. It was reported that the Programme in the province is linked to the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) and the Provincial Economic Growth Strategy. For Umkhanyakude District, the Acting HOD reported that 600 ha will be put under production. He also reported that 120 silos of 3.5 tons in size, were given to the province by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in 2013/14. Because of the size of the silos (too small to carry all the farmers’ produce), the Province distributed the silos among 4 districts (30 each), which excluded Umkhanyakude District. In the northern parts of KZN, only Zululand District received silos. The Acting HOD also highlighted that the Province has approximately 300 tractors, which are all under the provincial DARD’s custody as the Province does not distribute tractors to communities but the Department ploughs for communities as and when they need such services. She also mentioned that the Provincial Mechanisation Policy is under review.