1. PARLIAMENTARY RESEARCH UNIT: CLUSTER SUPPORT TO COMMITTEES
JUSTICE AND SECURITY
CLUSTER SUPPORT TO COMMITTEES
NADIA DOLLIE
31 JULY 2019

2. PARLIAMENTARY RESEARCH UNIT
Unit was established in 1997
Offers objective, non-partisan research support to Members of Parliament, committees, delegations and senior managers
Research Unit divided into 7 clusters, each headed by a senior researcher, with between 5 – 13 researchers and supported by an administrative assistant
Posts (incl. vacancies): 66 Researchers, 7 Senior Researchers, 9 Administrative Assistants and Chief Researcher
Knowledge and Information Services Division (KISD)

3. VALUES AND PRINCIPLES Non- partisan Impartiality Objectivity
Confidentiality
Accessible
Timeliness

4. WHAT WE DO Proactively provide to Committees:
Summaries and analysis of Bills
Analysis of SONA, Budget Votes, Strategic Plans, Annual Performance Plans, Quarterly performance and expenditure reports, Annual Reports
Oversight issues in support of Committee meetings
Analysis and review of policy documents
Comparative studies and international best practice
Statistical information
Preparatory papers for oversight visits/study tours and on-site support

5. WHAT WE DO (cont.) Provide on request:
Briefings and presentation to Committees
Research support to individual MPs
Background information for speeches
Proactive research projects:
Self initiated and may be individual/group or both
More in-depth and/or cross cutting

6. WHAT WE DO (cont.) Strategic and planning support:
Research to identify sector specific priorities for planning purposes
Attendance at Committee management meetings and planning sessions

7. WHAT WE DO NOT DO Committee minutes and reports
Study tour/oversight reports (we do analytical report input)
Party political support
Speech writing
Study group support
Support for personal academic studies

8. IMPROVE SUPPORT TO COMMITTEES
Measures to increase depth, quality, focus of support
Special considerations of Select Committees and increased clustering of Committees
Interim measures
Proposed realignment project
Smooth transition between NA and NCOP information
Differentiation of focus

9. JUSTICE, SECURITY AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS CLUSTER
Senior Researcher: Nadia Dollie
SC on Security and Justice: Patricia Whittle (Contact person)
PC on Justice and Correctional Services: Gullian Nesbitt/Mzi Dano (Justice issues); Mpho Mathabathe (Correctional Services issues)
PC on Defence and Military Veterans/JSCD: Wilhelm Janse van Rensburg (Defence issues)
PC on Police: Nicolette van Zyl-Gous (Policing issues)

10. OTHER CLUSTER SUPPORT Trade and Economic Affair Cluster:
Senior Researcher: Ekhsaan Jawoodeen
PC on International Relations: David Madlala (International Relations issues)
Social and Public Services Cluster:
Senior Researcher: Berenice Paulse
SC on Social Services: Mkhululi Molo (Home Affairs issues) (additional Home Affairs researcher in recruitment)

11. PROACTIVE GROUP PROJECTS ON REQUEST
Five-Year Trend Analysis (Justice, Police, Defence, Correctional Services) 2019
Oversight and legislative imperatives for Parliament (High Level Panel Report) (Justice, Police, Correctional Services) 2018
Tracking implementation of the National Development Plan (PCs on Defence, Police, Justice and Correctional Services, SC on Security and Justice) 2017 and 2018
Border safeguarding 2015 and 2016
Child Justice 2015
Health care for inmates 2017
Criminal Justice System Revamp 2015
Gender-based violence 2014

12. Nadia Dollie: ndollie@parliament.gov.za
Contact details:
Nadia Dollie:
Additional details on Parliamentary Research Unit: Justice, Security and Constitutional Affairs Cluster pamphlet