MBABANE – A heated debate erupted in the House of Assembly yesterday during the consideration and adoption of portfolio committee reports for various ministries, with sharp divisions emerging over the legality of proposed budget adjustments.
At the centre of the dispute were allegations that the budgeting process had been flouted, in contravention of the Constitution and Parliament’s Standing Orders.
The contention stemmed from the report of the Finance Committee, chaired by Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament (MP) Marwick Khumalo, which was labelled as one that contained recommendations to reallocate funds from one ministry to another — a move some legislators argued was unlawful. Further concerns were raised that the report effectively increased allocations to certain ministries, and the feeling was that this fell outside the committee’s mandate.
Early signs that there was going to be disagreements became evident when an argument broke out over revelations that there had been increases and decreases in specific allocations within the national budget.
Minister for Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi strongly raised the matter, stating that guidance from the Attorney General (AG), Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo, was necessary.
Buthelezi insinuated that the changes had affected the overall budget framework. He had earlier cautioned Parliament against breaching the Constitution and Standing Orders, stressing that the Finance Committee does not have the authority to increase budget allocations, but may only recommend reductions. He further argued that the committee has no legal mandate to shift funds across ministries. Buthelezi expressed concern that Parliament had already adopted the report, which was now being used as the basis for appropriating the budget.
He added that Part XX of the Standing Orders on Financial Business only provides for the involvement of portfolio committees in the budgeting process, not a finance sessional report.
In response, MP Khumalo defended the process, stating that Minister for Finance Neal Rijkenberg was better placed to address issues relating to the budget. Khumalo maintained that the figures had not changed and that the Finance Committee had not increased the overall budget.
Rijkenberg subsequently rose to clarify that while the total size of the budget remained unchanged, there had been internal adjustments between different heads. The minister stated that, in his view, the Constitution clearly outlines how such changes should be effected.
As MPs rose in large numbers to contribute, Speaker Jabulani Mabuza intervened before granting the floor, reminding members of his responsibility to uphold the law, guide proceedings and issue rulings after seeking appropriate advice where disagreements arise. He emphasised that the budget report had already been adopted by the House, following proper consultation.
The AG then provided clarity, stating that the Finance Committee report had been adopted through a formal resolution of the House.
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Recommendation to investigate Immigration officers adopted
LOBAMBA – Parliament has adopted a recommendation for an investigation into the conduct of Immigration officers, following growing concerns over an influx of foreign nationals, mainly of Asian origin, into the country.
Members of Parliament (MPs) said recent reports of alleged illegal activities involving people of Asian origin were a serious concern for the country. MPs also made and adopted a recommendation that there is a reported suspicious gaming operation allegedly taking place at The George Hotel be investigated.
This was during the debate and adoption of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Portfolio Committee report.
As reported yesterday, while the Gaming Board granted a provisional licence to The George Hotel, a company registered as Macau Investments (PTY) LTD is the one that acquired and brought into the country the gambling machines, something said to be against the provisions of the Gaming Control Act of 2022.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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