Parliament, Wednesday, 1 December 2021 – The Portfolio Committee on Social Development will from tomorrow, 2 to 4 December 2021, hold public hearings on the Children’s Amendment Bill [B18 -2020] in the Free State. The hearings are part of a nationwide process to garner the views of the public about the amendment bill.

In line with the effort to ensure the protection of the rights and lives of children, the committee resolved to undertake countrywide public consultations, as obligated by the Constitution. The Children’s Amendment Bill seeks to strengthen the protective measures for children and aims to close gaps in the child protection system. In addition, the Bill is intended to improve child foster care services and resolve the parental responsibilities of unmarried fathers. It also aims to improve services to children born to foreign parents and unaccompanied migrant children.

Parliament has made a commitment and strategic intention to open access to its work and the legislative-making process, and promote and improve public participation. It is on this basis that the committee will visit three districts in the Free State to gather public views on the proposed legislation to ensure that the Bill is responsive to practical occurrences on the ground.

The committee remains mindful that the scheduled public hearings take place when the Covid-19 pandemic is still prevalent. It has taken due regard to ensure adherence to Covid-19 guidelines and regulations.

Details of the public hearings (Day 1)

Date: Thursday, 2 December 2021

Venue: Bohlokong New Community Hall, Bethlehem
Time: 10:00

The full programme of the hearings: https://tinyurl.com/ycx96yvy

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, MS NONKOSI MVANA. 

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