The Ad Hoc Committee to Initiate and Introduce Legislation Amending Section 25 of the Constitution, which will allow for the expropriation of land without compensation, today resolved to approach Parliament for an extension to the deadline.
The committee will now seek a new deadline of 31 May 2021 to finalise its work. The committee will further request that it be allowed to continue with its work during the upcoming parliamentary recess period. The committee was expected to adopt the Bill on the constitutional amendments by 19 March 2021.
Committee Chairperson, Dr Mathole Motshekga, said this new deadline was in order to provide for a resolution today that will allow for oral presentations from those people who had indicated in their written submissions that they whish to do so. “It is import to note that we will not be calling for new submissions or public hearings. The committee will be receiving oral presentations only from those submitters who had, within the deadline, indicated in their written submissions that they wish to do so,” said Dr Motshekga.
The decision regarding the allowance for oral submissions meeting the criteria above, was unanimously supported by the multi-party committee, as well as the decision to request an extension to the deadline. Two views were, however, expressed on the latter.
Committee Member, Mr Cyril Xaba, proposed the new deadline of 31 May 2021 and was supported by committee Members, Mr Floyd Shivambu and Adv Bongani Bongo.
Committee Members Dr Annelie Lotriet and Dr Corne Mulder, however, felt that the committee should rather request a deadline of 30 June 2021 which will give it enough time as several public holidays, including the Easter period in April, are approaching. Adv Bongo said the people of South Africa cannot wait any longer for this process to be finalised. He proposed that the deadline of May should be requested as well as a request to work during recess.
The committee will now adjust its programme in order to make provision for the oral presentations, as well as make a list of those organisations or individuals who expressed the desire to elaborate further on their written submissions.
Dr Motshekga applauded committee Members for being able to work on consensus rather than taking matters to a vote. “I wish to emphasise that we are not reopening the entire process of public participation,” he concluded.
By Rajaa Azzakani
5 March 2021
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