MP Themba, the Permanent Delegate to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on the Diamonds Second Amendment Bill [B39- 2005] (the Bill). The Chief Director: Mineral Policy from the Department of Minerals and Energy, Adv. M Mononela, and the Department of Economic Development & Planning attended the meeting.

During the briefing, clarity-seeking questions were posed by the Committee to the Honourable permanent delegate, who answered the questions satisfactorily.

The Committee took a decision to make the Bill available to the public and the Bill was forwarded to various stakeholders for their Inputs and comments.

Written submissions were invited to reach the Legislature by 25 November 2005. No written submissions were received by the Committee.

The Committee met again on 28 November 2005 to consider the draft report on the Bill.

The legal section of the Legislature as well as the legal section of the Department of Economic Development and Planning were present at the meeting.

Having considered and deliberated on the Bill, the Committee supported the Bill as it stands.