By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Parliament has announced members of a new committee overseeing the Presidency, that includes 16 representatives from various political parties.
In December 2025, Parliament decided to establish a portfolio committee that will play oversight on the Presidency.
It will be the first time such a committee has been formed since 1994, following calls over the years by opposition parties and a recommendation from the State Capture Commission, which highlighted the need for enhanced scrutiny of the country’s highest office.
Currently, president Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy, Paul Mashatile, do not appear before any parliamentary committee to account for their work except answering oral and written questions from the MPs.
The director-general in the Presidency does not appear before a single parliamentary committee.
They will now appear before the member committee annually to discuss policy matters of national and international importance.
The African National Congress (ANC) deployed its deputy Chief Whip, Doris Dlakude, Supra Mahumapelo, who is the portfolio chair for International Relations and Anthea Ramolobeng, chairperson of the portfolio committee on Correctional Services.
Mdumiseni Ntuli, who is the chief whip will be the alternate member.
The second biggest party, Democratic Alliance (DA) have delegated Chief Whip and his deputy, George Machilakis and Baxolile Nodada.
MK Party have send their Chief Whip Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi with Des Van Rooyen as an alternate while Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will have its leader Julius Malema and Leigh-Ann Matthys.
The rest of the committee members will be from Patriotic Alliance Chief Whip, Marlon Davids, ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip and UAT leader Wonderboy Mahlatsi.
Freedom Front Plus leader Cornel Mulder and Rise Mzansi Magashule Gana will be alternate members.
The committee has its own mandate: to scrutinize, call the director-general to account, require annual appearances by the president and deputy president, and investigate matters referred by the speaker or the House. It may also consult with executive organs of state and constitutional institutions, and consider motions of censure or breaches of oath before referral to the House.