South Africa
Openness and transparency
Information about access to parliamentary documents, parliament’s reporting to the public, parliament’s relation to Freedom of Information laws, and lobbying.
Parliamentary documents
The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance
The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance.
The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance
The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance.
Results of votes on draft legislation are published on the parliamentary web site
Results of votes on draft legislation are published on the parliamentary web site.
Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website
Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website.
Citizens can submit comments on draft legislation on the parliamentary web site
Yes
Compare data of this field.
Annual reporting by parliament
Parliament publishes an annual report on its activities
The annual report is available on the parliamentary web site
Yes
Notes
Some parliaments publish monthly/quarterly reports.
Monthly financial statements, quarterly performance reports, a mid-year performance report and the annual report are all published in the ATC which is available on the Parliamentary website.
https://www.parliament.gov.za/business-publications
https://www.parliament.gov.za/business-publications
Parliament publishes the parliamentary budget
Level of detail of the parliamentary budget made available to the public
Level of detail of the parliamentary budget made available to the public: Only the total amount; A summary of the main elements; The complete budget
The complete budget
The parliamentary budget is available on the parliamentary web site
Yes
Access to parliament
Plenary meetings are open to the public
Committee meetings are open to the public
Notes
No cameras or weapons of any sort are allowed.
Meetings of committees and subcommittees are open to the public and media. They cannot be excluded except when the committee is closed (National Assembly Rule 184), for instance, for considering a matter which is of a private nature that is prejudicial to a particular person; protected under parliamentary privilege by law; confidential legislation; or for any other reason justifiable in an open and democratic society. E.g., meetings of the Joint Committee on Intelligence are closed.
Meetings of committees and subcommittees are open to the public and media. They cannot be excluded except when the committee is closed (National Assembly Rule 184), for instance, for considering a matter which is of a private nature that is prejudicial to a particular person; protected under parliamentary privilege by law; confidential legislation; or for any other reason justifiable in an open and democratic society. E.g., meetings of the Joint Committee on Intelligence are closed.
There is a dedicated channel for broadcasting parliamentary meetings
A dedicated channel is one that is mainly about parliament, and is accessible free of charge to the general public. The channel might be owned by Parliament or a public or private company. Dedicated channels may be broadcast by parliament, government, or another broadcaster. They may be carried on television, radio or the Internet (webcasting).
Media used for the dedicated channel
TV
Webcast
Meetings broadcast on the dedicated channel
Plenary sittings
Committee meetings
Freedom of information
There is a freedom of information law in the country
Yes
Parliament is subject to the freedom of information law
Parliament has an office/division dedicated to FOI requests
Yes
Categories of Information that are exempt from disclosure
Certain categories of information may be exempt from disclosure
Promotion of Access to Information Act of 2000, Articles 7,12 and 33-46.
https://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/2000-002.pdf
https://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/2000-002.pdf