Parliament, Friday, 20 August 2021 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure will from tomorrow, Saturday 21 August 2021 until Tuesday 24 August 2021, resume public hearings on the Expropriation Bill in the Northern Cape province.

The committee had earlier this year deferred the physical public participation process due primarily to concerns relating to the high rate of Covid-19 infections in both Northern Cape and Free State provinces.

“Following consultation with various stakeholders including the provincial departments of health, we felt that it was reasonably safe to resume the hearings in both the Northern Cape and Free State provinces where the rate of Covid-19 infections is currently low. We remain cognisant, however, about the challenges posed by Covid-19, and we will strive to ensure adherence to Covid-19 regulations and non-pharmaceutical interventions,” said Ms Nolitha Ntobongwana, the Chairperson of the committee.

The purpose of the Bill is to repeal the existing Expropriation Act of 1975 to provide a common framework in line with the democratic Constitution to guide the processes and procedures for the expropriation of property by organs of state and to provide for certain instances where expropriation with nil compensation may be appropriate in the public interest.

In line with Section 59 of the Constitution that compels Parliament to facilitate public involvement in the legislative and other processes of the National Assembly and the House’s committees as well as Parliament’s strategic objective of enhancing access to the work of Parliament, legislative making process, and improving public participation in general, the committee resolved to visit all provinces to garner public views on the proposed legislation.

The intention of the public hearings is to enrich the Bill and to ensure that it is responsive to the views and needs of individuals and groups on the ground.

Although the committee holds public hearings during the week and at weekends to afford participation to as many people, organisations and stakeholders as possible, it is mindful that the scheduled public hearings happen during the Adjusted Alert Level 3 lockdown regulations and has taken due regard to ensure adherence to Covid-19 guidelines and regulations.

Details of the Public Hearings (Day 1)
Date: Saturday, 21 August 2021
Venue: Pofadder Community Centre, Khai Ma Local Municipality
Time: 10:00

Details of the Public Hearings (Day 2)
Date: Sunday, 22 August 2021
Venue: Tol Speelman Hall, Upington
Time: 10:00

Details of the Public Hearings (Day 3)
Date: Monday, 23 August 2021
Venue: Kathu City Hall, Gamagara Local Municipality
Time: 10:00

Details of the Public Hearings (Day 4)
Date: Tuesday, 24 August 2021
Venue: Galeshewe Recreational Hall, Kimberley
Time: 10:00

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, MS NOLITHA NTOBONGWANA 

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:

Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za