The Speaker:

The following letter has been received by the Office of the Speaker:

Dear Madam Speaker

Proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Fourth Amendment Bill, 2002 [B 69 - 2002].

You are no doubt aware that recent discussions between the ANC and IFP led to an agreement to withdraw the "reinstatement-provision" in the above Bill, which is presently being considered by the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development. I am consequently in the process of approaching Cabinet with a recommendation that clause 6 of the Bill be amended by the deletion of the following subitem:

6(3) Any person who, subsequent to 20 June 2002 has been removed from membership of a legislature by reason directly or indirectly of anything done by such person in the belief that he or she was lawfully acting in accordance with provisions substantially similar in content to this Schedule, is hereby restored to such membership with all rights and privileges attaching thereto, and any person who has replaced such person as a member of the legislature hereby ceases to be a member of such legislature.

I will be submitting a formal amendment to the Portfolio Committee as soon as possible, in order to ensure that the passing of the Bill is not unnecessarily delayed.

With kind regards

Dr P M Maduna, MP

MINISTER

Referred to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development.