Call to overhaul HRC, Icasa
2007-08-21 18:29
Cape Town - A parliamentary committee has proposed sweeping and controversial changes to the structure and functioning of institutions such as the Human Rights Commission, the Independent Communications Authority of SA, and other constitutional bodies.
In a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of Chapter 9 and Associated Institutions calls for the HRC to become an "umbrella" human rights organisation incorporating three other existing commissions.
This would see the HRC absorbing the National Youth Commission, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (together with the Pan South African Language Board), and the Commission for Gender Equality.
In a 267-page report to the National Assembly, the committee -under the leadership of veteran ANC MP Kader Asmal - proposes the umbrella organisation be called the SA Commission on Human Rights and Equality.
'Legal and constitutional mandate'
This proposal, if adopted by the Assembly, will require changes to South Africa's Constitution.
On Icasa, the report says perceptions that the authority lacks independence are "potentially undermining of its credibility and, therefore, its legitimacy".
The committee also says it considers the appointment of Icasa councillors by the communications minister to be "inappropriate".
Further, it calls for Icasa's performance management system to be revised "to remove the role of the minister in this regard".
The report is critical of the National Youth Commission, saying it "does not serve its purpose".
Further, parliamentary mechanisms for oversight of the commission are inadequate.
"The commission is not particularly effective in carrying out its mandate," it finds.
The report also condemns the Commission for Gender Equality, saying it "displays a poor understanding of its legal and constitutional mandate".
Its relationship with civil society was unsatisfactory, and required urgent attention.
- SAPA