Parliament, Thursday, 21 June 2018 – The Joint Constitutional Review Committee today indicated its readiness to commence with public hearings on a possible review of section 25 of the Constitution.
During a meeting, committee Co-Chairperson Mr Vincent Smith said the committee had received over 500 000 written submissions on the matter. “We will be starting the public hearings in Springbok in the Northern Cape on 26 June 2018 and in Limpopo on 27 June 2018. We would like to emphasise that during the public hearings, the committee will not be accepting any further written submissions, as the public had sufficient time for that. Furthermore, we will stick to the mandate of the committee.”
The committee resolved that of the thousands of written submissions received, only identifiable submissions that can be traced back to a name, cellular phone number or email address will be considered. If the author of the submission cannot be identified, it will not be accepted as a legitimate submission.
Regarding questions about the change of venue from Groblersdal to Marble Hall, Mr Smith indicated after the meeting that, after further consultation, it was made clear that Marble Hall is the final venue. “We will make the necessary arrangements to ensure that there is an overflow venue, should the need for such arise, to ensure that the public is not disadvantaged.”
Mr Lewis Nzimande, the other Co-Chairperson, said that as this is not a referendum, people should not bring 100 000 people to speak, as many people saying the same thing carries the same weight as one voice. “This is a determination of desirability. If the conclusion is to amend the Constitution, then that is a different process.”
The committee heard that the necessary security detail has been put in place to ensure the safety of all South Africans attending the public hearings.
The committee encouraged the public to attend the hearings, as this an opportunity for all to have their voices heard.
Members of the media intending to attend the hearings should please send their details (name, media house and contact details) to razzakani@parliament.gov.za. Please find the link for the updated programme for the public hearings https://tinyurl.com/yb9yvalx.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE JOINT CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW COMMITTEE, MR VINCENT SMITH AND MR LEWIS NZIMANDE
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairpersons, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 081 703 9542
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
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