Tabling the legislative body's 2020/21 budget on Thursday, Speaker Zanele Sifuba said it remains the Legislature's intention to ensure accountability of the Executive Council and she can assure the public that they have hit the ground running in ensuring that their mandate of law-making, conducting oversight and public participation is honoured. Sifuba explained that the appropriate mechanism for the Free State Legislature to conduct oversight and accountability over provincial departments and entities is through committees and that the effectiveness with which Portfolio Committees perform their functions directly has an impact on the Legislature’s ability to meet its objectives. Tabling the Legislature's R290 million budget, Sifuba announced that it is imperative that sufficient resources be allocated to Portfolio Committees.

Whilst this amount is divided amongst different programmes, administration is allocated R153 million, facilities and benefits for members and political parties over R66 million, parliamentary services over R44 million and R25.4 million towards the salary bill.

Sifuba alluded that investing in technology amidst the Coronavirus pandemic is also amongst her top priorities. This includes enhancing public participation initiatives to give a voice to the poor and illiterate.

"We have not made sufficient inroads to ensure that people in rural and remote areas of the province are adequately heard. Our strategies and plans must of necessity be adjusted to ensure that this focus group is provided with an equal opportunity to engage with the Legislature and elected representatives on matters aimed at achieving a better life for all," she added.

OFM News