The ANC said on Friday it would propose that Parliamentary portfolio committees be created to oversee the two new ministries in the presidency.

The assurance came amid concerns from the Democratic Alliance that otherwise the only way to hold the ministries to account would be through parliamentary questions to President Jacob Zuma, and during debate on state of the nations addresses.

ANC deputy chief whip Bulelani Magwanishe said it was still unclear whether a single committee would cater for both ministries, but added that he supported that idea because "otherwise MPs, also in the opposition, would be spread a bit thin".

The DA raised the issue in a rules committee meeting on Friday, a day after the ANC nominated the new chairpersons of portfolio committees without providing for the National Planning Commission, headed by Trevor Manuel, and the new monitoring team in the presidency run by Collins Chabane.

Ellis told Sapa he was satisfied to hear from the ANC that one way or another, a committee will keep these accountable to Parliament.

He said one option was that the standing committee on finance and the standing committee on appropriations fulfil the role.

Acting secretary to Parliament, Michael Coetzee, said the issue would be resolved by mid-winter when Parliament's budget votes takes place, as this would have to take into account the salaries of all portfolio chairs.

Chabane indicated this week that it could take months to establish the six new ministries included in Zuma's cabinet. He said he hoped they would be up and running by early November.

He also indicated that his team may yet need special legislation to vest in it the powers to oversee other ministries.