Tuesday, 22 August 2017 – The National Assembly today expressed condolences for MP Mr Trevor Bonhomme who passed away in July. After the condolences, the plenary considered reports on the Red Tape Impact Assessment Bill, the Labour Laws Amendment Bill and the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Bill.
The Second Reading Debate on the Red Tape Impact Assessment Bill was postponed. The BiIl is intended for small businesses and seeks to address bottlenecks, such as, access to finance, training and skills development, red tape and access to markets.
The Portfolio Committee considering the Labour Laws Amendment Bill requested and was granted permission by the Assembly to amend provisions of the principal legislation. These include a adding new clause providing that benefits to which a contributor to the Unemployment Insurance Fund is entitled may not be reduced by the payment of parental, adoption and commissioning parental benefits.
The Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Bill was agreed to. The primary aim of the Bill is to provide for extended time-frames within which kingship or queenship councils and traditional councils must be established. It also provides for extended time-frames within which community authorities have to be disestablished. In addition, it aligns the term of office of tribal authorities, traditional councils and kingship or queenship councils with the term of the National House of Traditional Leaders. This is a section 76 Bill and will be referred to the National Council of Provinces. According to programming directives and the National Council of Provinces rules, a six-week cycle will be followed. However, if more time is required, the cycle may be extended.
The National Assembly also approved the recommendation of two candidates - Ms Palesa Kadi and Advocate Dimakatso Qocha - to fill vacancies on the Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. The names will now be submitted to the Minister of Communications for consideration.
The National Council of Provinces is currently in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in Free State for its flagship programme, Taking Parliament to the People. The programme started yesterday and will conclude on Friday with an address by the Deputy President.
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