Parliament, Monday, 21 March 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will over the next two days continue with public hearings on the Electoral Amendment Bill with the committee focusing on the Western Cape. The committee had resolved to hold public hearings in all nine provinces due to the magnitude of the matter being covered and its implication to the democratic dispensation. The committee has concluded hearings in eight provinces and the Western Cape will be the last.
The Bill was necessitated by the June 2020 Constitutional Court judgement on the New Nation Movement NPC and Others v President of the Republic of South Africa and Others case, which found the Electoral Act 73 of 1998 unconstitutional to the extent that it requires that adult citizens be elected to the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures only through their membership of political parties. Parliament was given 24 months to remedy the defect which lapses in June 2022. This is a Bill that seeks to remedy this defect.
The Constitution in Sections 59(1)(a), and 72(1)(a) compel Parliament to, in the execution of its mandate, include the broader public in the decision-making process. The comprehensive public participation programme adopted by the committee seeks to adhere to that obligation.
As a result of the need to cover a wider geographical area and increase reach as well as the time pressure induced by the Constitutional Court set deadline, the committee has divided itself into two groups.
The committee invites all individuals and interested organisations to come and make inputs on the bill to ensure that the final product is reflective of their will and aspirations. The committee is cognisant that these hearings happen while the country continues to face the risks posed by Covid-19. The committee has taken due consideration of this and have in place mitigating plans to ensure the safety of participants.
Details of the Hearings (Group 1)
Date: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Time: 10:00
Venue: Khayelitsha Thusong Service Centre, Khayelitsha (City of Cape Town)
Details of the Hearings (Group 1)
Date: Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Time: 10:00
Venue: Citrusdal Thusong Service Centre.
Details of the Hearings (Group 2)
Date: Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Time: 10:00
Venue: Mosselbay Town Hall
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS, MR MOSA CHABANE.
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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