About Us
Mission
To promote good governance and a culture of human rights through oversight, law-making and public participation.
PRINCIPALS
Presiding Officers
02.
The Free State Legislature was established in terms of the interim Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The interim Constitution established a non-racial representative democracy and provided for a two-chamber Parliament holding concurrent powers with nine newly formed provincial legislatures. The division of the country into nine provinces did not affect the Free State Province as its boundaries remained primarily the same as prior to the 1994 democratic elections. Parts of the old Bophuthatswana Bantustan were incorporated into the Free State province. The inauguration of the first democratically-elected Free State Legislature took place on 7 May 1994
Hon. NB Sifuba
Speaker
Hon. LN Mapena
Deputy Speaker
Hon MP Buti
Chair of Chairpersons
WHAT WE DO
Separation of Powers
02.
The Legislature
The powers of the Legislature are set out in section 114 of Chapter 6 of the Constitution. The legislature is empowered to pass legislation within its functional areas. In exercising its legislative power, a provincial legislature may Consider, pass, amend or reject any Bill before the legislature; and initiate or prepare legislation,except Money Bills.A provincial legislature must provide for mechanisms to ensure that all provincial executive Organs of state in the province are accountable to it; and maintain oversight of (0 tne exercise of provincial executive duthority in the province, including tne implementation of legislation dnd (1) any provincial organ ostate
The Executive
Members of the Executive Council are accountable individually and collectively to the legislature. The Legislature exercises oversight over the Executive Council and can call on Members of the Executive Council at any time to explain executive actions therefore and/or decisions. A provincial legislature may also determine and control its internal and procedures and make rules and business, with due regard to representative democracy,accountability, transparency and public proceedings arrangements, orders Concerning its participatory and involvement.A provincial legislature is bound only by the national Constitution, or by a provincial constitution if it has passe done. No provincial constitution has been passed for the Free State.
The judicial
The judicial authority of the Republic is vested in the courts. The courts are independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law, which must be applied impartially and without fear, favour or prejudice. No person or organ of state may interfere with the functioning of the courts. The organs of state, through legislative and other measures, must assist and protect the courts to ensure the independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effectiveness of the courts. By issuing an order or decision, the court binds all persons or organs of state to which it applies. The function of the Judiciary is to interpret laws that are made by the legislative pillar of government. It is the third arm of government and deals with the administration of justice.