Division of Revenue Bill: Final Mandates

Meeting report

The Chairperson confirmed there was a quorum. She emphasised the importance of identifying oneself in the meeting, particularly for those struggling to do so, to avoid being removed from the meeting. Even though it was a public meeting, it was important to know who was participating, to prevent accommodating faceless individuals. She thanked Members for making themselves available, particularly noting the late hour of the meeting and recognising there were both morning and evening meetings that day. National Treasury would respond to the negotiating mandates presented in the previous meeting.

National Treasury response to negotiating mandates
Ms Wendy Fanoe, Chief Director: Intergovernmental Relations Unit, National Treasury, noted that at the last meeting, it was agreed that National Treasury would provide written responses to all the recommendations made in the negotiating mandates of the provincial legislatures. She confirmed that they had fulfilled this agreement and addressed all the recommendations received from the provinces. She mentioned the concern raised by Limpopo on the negotiating process potentially affecting the Friday deadline. However, since no recommendations were made by Limpopo, their final inputs were based on the recommendations made by other provinces. She assured the Committee that Treasury's responses were clear and comprehensive, addressing all issues raised.

The Chairperson indicated that Members were familiar with the Treasury response. She proposed moving on to the final mandates which was accepted.

Final Mandates on Division of Revenue Bill
Northern Cape
Mr W Aucamp (DA Northern Cape) presented the final mandate specifying that the deliberation took place on 29 April 2024. The vote supporting the Bill was signed by the legislature speaker and addressed to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces.

Eastern Cape
Ms Z Ncitha (ANC, Eastern Cape) confirmed that the Eastern Cape Legislature had discussed the Bill and voted in its favour.

Free State
Mr M Moletsane (EFF, Free State) stated that the final mandate had been deliberated on 30 April 2024, with the Free State Legislature voting in favour of the Bill.

Gauteng
Mr D Ryder (DA, Gauteng) stated a letter received from the Gauteng Legislature, meeting all prescribed requirements, confirmed support for the Bill. It supported both the principle and details of the Bill and had voted in favour. The letter was electronically signed by the Gauteng Legislature Speaker.

KwaZulu-Natal
Mr Y Carrim (ANC, KZN) informed the Committee that its meeting took place on 30 April 2024 during which they agreed to mandate the KwaZulu-Natal delegation to the NCOP to support the Division of Revenue Bill. The document was signed by the Speaker.

Limpopo
Ms M Mamaregane (ANC, Limpopo) presented the final mandate, indicating that deliberation occurred on 26 April 2024, with the province voting in favour of the Bill. The document was signed by the Speaker on 29 April 2024.

Mpumalanga
The Chairperson read the final mandate stating that deliberation on the Bill took place on 25 and 26 April 2024. The Mpumalanga delegate in the NCOP had been mandated to vote in favour of the Bill, as signed by the Speaker of the legislature on 26 April 2024.

North West
The Committee Secretary noted that Mr F Du Toit (FF+, North West) was not present. However, the Provincial Finance Committee Chairperson was present.

Mr A Motswana (ANC, North West Legislature Finance Committee Chairperson, said that the negotiating mandate had been processed by the North West Legislature in a meeting held earlier that day. The province had voted in favour of the Bill.

Western Cape
Ms L Moss (ANC, Western Cape) stated that the Western Cape delegate in the National Council of Provinces was conferred with the authority not to support the Bill. She noted that the final mandate was not signed.

However, Members pointed out that the Bill was digitally signed, including the date and time.

Consequently, the final mandates as presented were adopted by the Members.

Committee Report on Division of Revenue Bill
The Chairperson suggested following the usual procedure of starting with the Report observations and recommendations. She asked if all Members had received the draft report before the meeting.

The Committee Secretariat confirmed this saying the draft had been sent the previous week without the final mandate section. After receiving all the final mandates, he updated the report and resent it to Members.

The Chairperson read through the Findings and Observations of the Report then moved on to the Recommendations from 11.1 to 11.16. She concluded by stating that the Committee, after considering the Division of Revenue Bill [B4-2024], agreed to it without proposing any amendments. She asked for a Member to propose the adoption of the report.

Ms Mamaregane moved for the adoption.

Mr Carrim seconded the motion. The report was duly adopted.

The Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters reserved their position.

Mr Carrim made some announcements about further NCOP meetings that week.

The Chairperson acknowledged the collective effort of all Members in maintaining focus and reaching a timely conclusion. She thanked them for their dedication despite busy schedules and health challenges, the Chairperson highlighted the importance of their participation in advancing the Committee's work. She encouraged them to persevere as they neared the end of their tasks, likening it to the final stretch of a race.

The meeting minutes of 24 April 2024 were adopted

Mr du Toit then apologised for his late arrival, explaining that he had been occupied with protest actions in the North West Province. He regretted for his tardiness, noting the necessity of attending to these matters.

The Chairperson acknowledged Mr du Toit's explanation and thanked him for his work as a public representative in addressing these issues. She reminded Members of the next meeting scheduled for 2 May 2024.

The meeting was adjourned.