Parliament, Wednesday, 25 August 2021 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure will from tomorrow, Thursday 26 August 2021 until Sunday 29 August 2021, resume public hearings on the Expropriation Bill in the Free State. The committee had earlier this year deferred the public participation process due primarily to concerns relating to the high infection rates of Covid-19 in the province.
“Following consultation with various stakeholders including the provincial Departments of Health, we felt that it was reasonably safe to resume the hearings in the Free State where the rates of infection are currently low. But we remain cognisant of 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 Expropriation 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 Assembly and its 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 the Bill is responsive to the views and needs of individuals and groups on the ground.
Similarly, the committee decided to hold hearings during both weekdays and weekends to afford as extensive as possible participation of individuals and stakeholders as possible. But the committee 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: Thursday, 26 August 2021
Venue: Samson Sifuthi Hall, N Section Botshabelo
Time: 10:00
Details of the Public Hearings (Day 2)
Date: Friday, 27 August 2021
Venue: Ernst Oppenheimer Theatre, Welkom
Time: 10:00
Details of the Public Hearings (Day 3)
Date: Saturday, 28 August 2021
Venue: New Hall, Bethlehem
Time: 10:00
Details of the Public Hearings (Day 4)
Date: Sunday, 29 August 2021
Venue: Falesizwe Secondary School Hall, Frankfort
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
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