Calls for Submissions / Public Hearings
UPCOMING HEARINGS & REQUESTS FOR SUBMISSIONS
To confirm hearings details please contact the relevant: committee secretary
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Comment: National Energy Regulator Amendment Draft Bill
The Department of Energy requests comment on the following draft Bill: National Energy Regulator Amendment Draft Bill before it submits it to Parliament.
Comments on this Bill can be emailed to Mathews Bantsijang or Maduna Ngobeni at epar@energy.gov.za no later than 10 February 2012.
Enquiries tel Mathews Bantsijang: (012) 4444 081 or Maduna Ngobeni: (012) 4444 231
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Comment: Electricity Regulation Second Amendment Draft Bill
The Department of Energy requests comment on the following draft Bill: Electricity Regulation Second Amendment Draft Bill before it submits it to Parliament.
Comments on this Bill can be emailed to Mathews Bantsijang or Maduna Ngobeni at epar@energy.gov.za no later than 17 February 2012.
Enquiries tel Mathews Bantsijang: (012) 4444 081 or Maduna Ngobeni: (012) 4444 231
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Comment: Protection of State Information Bill [B6B-2010]
The Ad Hoc Committee on Protection of State Information Bill (National Council of Provinces) invites interested individuals and organisations to submit written submissions on the Protection of State Information Bill [B6B-2010].
This Bill seeks:
- to provide for the protection of certain information from destruction, loss or unlawful disclosure;
- to regulate the manner in which information may be protected;
- to repeal the Protection of Information Act, 1982, and;
- to provide for matters connected therewith.
Written submissions can be emailed to the Committee Secretary Mr G. Dixon at gdixon@parliament.gov.za by no later than Friday, 17 February 2012 at 12:00.
Enquiries tel Mr G. Dixon: (021) 403 3771; cell: 083 709 8513
Public hearings for those selected for oral presentations will be held at Parliament on Tuesday, 13 March 2012 and Wednesday, 14 March 2012.
Issued by: Mr R.J. Tau, Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Protection of State Information Bill.
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Comment: National Education Evaluation and Development Unit Draft Bill
The Department of Basic Education, after consultation with the Council of Education Ministers, has published the National Education Evaluation and Development Unit Draft Bill for comment. ·
Comments can be emailed to Adv Moribishane Ramafoko at ramafoko.m@dbe.gov.za by no later than Friday, 17 February 2012. Kindly provide the name, address, telephone number, fax number and email address of the person or organisation submitting the comments.
Enquiries tel Adv Moribishane Ramafoko (012) 357 3720
Comment: Green Paper for Post-School Education and Training
The Department of Higher Education and Training has published the Green Paper for Post-School Education and Training, for public comment.
Comments can be emailed to Mr Zakhele Hlongwane at hlongwane.z@dhet.gov.za by no later than 30 April 2012
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RHINO POACHING: A THREAT TO HARD-WON POPULATION INCREASES ACHIEVED BY CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES: A CALL FOR RESPONSES AND SOLUTIONS TO ASSIST GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE AND THE FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR RHINO POPULATION
Have your say in highlighting the solutions in South Africa and Africa
Parliament invites you to be a solution in ensuring the future of our rhino population
Rhino poaching across Africa has risen sharply in the past few years. This has threatened to reverse the hard-won population increases achieved by conservation authorities during the 20th century. Until relatively recently, thanks to law enforcement efforts, poaching of rhino had been kept under control and held at relatively low levels. However, from 2008 onwards, rhino poaching has escalated at an alarming rate. Another factor, which saw an increase in the demand of rhino horn into the illegal markets, is the likely leakage of stored rhino horn from various private and government stockpiles, with no indication of decreasing. There has been a dramatic spike in rhino poaching incidents in South Africa from January 2008 to date.
The modus operandi being utilised both locally and internationally in the illegal killing of rhino and the smuggling of their horns in recent years clearly indicates the increasing involvement of highly organised and well structured crime syndicates that are operating in a lucrative international enterprise. In addition to the loss of horns through increased poaching, concerns have also been raised regarding ‘leakage’ of South African horns onto the illegal international markets from stocks in the public and private sector. These syndicates are also involved in the ‘legal/unethical’ hunting of rhino in the country.
The concern for conservation authorities is that should poaching continue to escalate at the current rates, unabated, one could reach the situation where numbers start declining to a point when more animals are being poached than are born into the rhino population – as has been experienced in other rhino range states in the recent past.
A properly structured and concerted effort by government, and other relevant role-players, is therefore urgently needed to address this problem, as it poses a significant threat not just to the rhino population, but also to the reputation, eco-tourism industry and public image of South Africa.
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs (the Committee) intends holding public hearings on FINDING SOLUTIONS to the rhino-poaching crisis in South Africa and Africa.
The Department of Environmental Affairs (the Department), and other relevant government state holders will commence the hearings by explaining the current poaching situation in relation to the achievements and challenges. Thereafter, public commentary by presenters of selected submissions will be given a space to provide insights into:
▪ The strength and weaknesses of the current initiatives to address the problem;
▪ The efficacy of current environmental governance structures to address the problem;
▪ Whether South Africa has the requisite combination of expertise, sufficient and sustained financial capacity, and well-performing institutional and regulatory mechanisms to maintain an effective and balanced intervention to rhino poaching; and
▪ Recommendations to address specific challenges and responses of the present regime pertinent to the practitioner, regulator and policy-maker.
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs in the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa will be holding public hearings on Rhino poaching: a threat to hard-won population increases achieved by conservation authorities. The Portfolio Committee invites all interested stakeholders to submit written comments on the subject matter not later than 20 January 2012. Public hearings are targeted for Thursday 26 January 2012. Specific dates and times will be provided after the deadline has been met.
Kindly note that the Portfolio Committee Water and Environmental Affairs retains the right to regulate its own proceedings, including the right to decide whether to allow oral representations in respect of any submission, and the format, procedure and duration of any oral representation.
All written comments appropriately referenced as ‘’ Rhino poaching: a threat to hard-won population increases achieved by conservation authorities’’ should be addressed to Ms Tyhileka Madubela, Committee Section, Parliament of RSA, PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000. Electronic submissions can be made at: tmadubela@parliament.gov.za or hand-delivered at Room 0/88, 3rd Floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town. For enquiries, contact Ms Madubela on 021 403 3713 or 083 304 9586.
Issued by Adv. Johnny de Lange, M.P.: Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs on 11 December 2012.
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South African Weather Service Amendment Bill: Strengthening of Institutional Mechanisms, Governance and Finances as it relates to the work of the South African Weather Service
Parliament invites you to comment on the:
South African Weather Service Amendment Bill [B22-2011]
Over the past 150 years, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has built up a reputation as a trusted provider of weather and climate information. As the authoritative voice in the field of weather and climate, SAWS has played an integral role in assisting Government to minimise the impact of weather-related natural disaster. The primary goal of SAWS is to ensure the continued relevance of meteorological products and services in compliance with the applicable regulatory framework.
Timeous and accurate weather and climate information is critical to various sectors. In developing and implementing a comprehensive product and services programme, SAWS provides real-time weather information in an effort to forewarn the South African community, including the population vulnerable to severe weather events.
SAWS’ role and activities on climate services informed policy on climate change. The work conducted by SAWS’ Global Atmospheric Watch station, which is more than 30 years old, has had new relevance, more especially in measurement records of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the Southern Hemisphere. Records of these trace and greenhouse gases assist the Department of Environmental Affairs. The Department uses the data for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, implementing mitigation of climate change impacts and improves atmospheric quality.
Institutionally, SAWS operates as an agency under the Ministry of Water Affairs, and is governed by a Board of Directors. SAWS became a public entity in 2001. It provides two distinct services, namely public good services funded by Government, and paid-for commercial services. The public services include aviation and maritime.
The purpose of the South African Weather Services Act, 2001 (Act No 8 of 2001) was to establish the Weather Service Agency, to determine its objects, functions and method of work, to prescribe the manner in which it is to be managed and governed, and to regulate its staff and financial matters. The Bill seeks to amend the Act to ensure that the objectives of the Act are met in a more sustainable, effective and efficient manner.
The Minister of Water Affairs, published the South African Weather Service Amendment Bill, 2011 in General Notice 278 of 2011, in Government Gazette No. 34268 of 6 May 2011. The Bill was introduced in the National Assembly (proposed section 75) with an explanatory summary of the Bill published in Government Gazette No. 34648 of 30 September 2011.
The purpose of the South African Weather Service Amendment Bill, is to amend the South African Weather Services Act, 2001, so as to:
▪ Substitute and insert certain definitions;
▪ Extend the objectives and functions of the South African Weather Service to deal with ambient air quality information services;
▪ Provide for a performance management system for the Chief Executive Officer to align the Weather Service Board with the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999) by providing the Board to be the accounting authority for the Weather Service;
▪ Delete certain obsolete provisions;
▪ Provide for the limitation of liability of the Weather Service; and
▪ Provide for the Minister to amend the Schedules to the Act by notice in the Gazette, to provide for offences and penalties; and to amend the Schedules to the Act
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs (the Portfolio Committee) in the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa will be holding public hearings on the South African Weather Service Amendment Bill, 2011. The Portfolio Committee invites all interested stakeholders to submit written comments on the subject matter not later than 12 January 2012. Public hearings are targeted for 17 and 18 January 2012. Specific dates and times will be provided after the deadline has been met.
Kindly note that the Portfolio Committee Water and Environmental Affairs retains the right to regulate its own proceedings, including the right to decide whether to allow oral representations in respect of any submission, and the format, procedure and duration of any oral representation.
All written comments appropriately referenced as ‘’Strengthening of the work of the Weather Service through the South African Weather Service Amendment Bill, 2011’’ should be addressed to Ms Tyhileka Madubela, Committee Section, Parliament of RSA, PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000. Electronic submissions can be made at: tmadubela@parliament.gov.za or hand-delivered at Room 0/88, 3rd Floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town. For enquiries, contact Ms Madubela on 021 403 3713 or 083 304 9586.
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Comment: Code and Regulations of Judges Registrable Interests
The Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Code of Judicial Conduct and the Regulations on Judges’ Disclosure of Registrable Interests invites stakeholders and interested persons to submit written submissions on the Regulations on Judges’ Registrable Interests.
Please find the relevant documents here:
Judiciary Registrable Interests Draft Regulations
Judicial Service Commission Draft Regulations
Section 13 of the Judicial Service Commission Act, 1994 (Act No 9 of 1994) provides that:
- The Minister, acting in consultation with the Chief Justice, must appoint a senior official in the Office of the Chief Justice as the Registrar of Judges' Registrable Interests.
- The Registrar must open and keep a register, called the Register of Judges' Registrable Interests, and must-
- record in the Register particulars of Judges' registrable interests;
- amend any entries in the Register when necessary; and
- perform the other duties in connection with the Register as required in terms of this Act.
- Every judge must disclose to the Registrar, in the prescribed form, particulars of all his or her registrable interests and those of his or her immediate family members.
- The Minister, acting in consultation with the Chief Justice, must make regulations regarding the content and management of the Register.
- The regulations may determine different criteria for judges in active service and judges who had been discharged from active service or judges in an acting capacity.
Comments can be emailed to Mr. V Ramaano at vramaano@parliament.gov.za by no later than 20 January 2012. Please indicate your interest in making a verbal presentation. Public hearings will be held in Parliament from 24 to 26 January 2012.
Enquiries tel Mr. V Ramaano, tel: (021) 403-3820 or 083 709 8427.
Issued by Hon. JB Sibanyoni and Hon AG Matila, Co-Chairpersons: ad hoc Joint Committee on Code of Judicial Conduct and the Regulations on Judges’ Disclosure of Registrable Interests
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Comment: B-BBEE Amendment Draft Bill
Salient features of the proposed Bill have been kindly summarised by Gavin Lecvenstein of EconoBEE (www.EconoBEE. co.za / Tel 011 483 1190):
In many instances the Bill expands on issues that were already included, but issues clarifications.
- The definition of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment has been expanded to mean the sustainable economic empowerment of all black people - in particular women, workers, youth, people with disabilities and people living in rural areas, through diverse but integrated socio-economic strategies. Note the use of the word “sustainable”.
- There is more emphasis on local content, as there is in the new regulations of the PPPFA.
- Fronting is clearly defined and fronting practices are now punishable by penalties of up to 10 years in prison, or up to 10% of an enterprise’s annual turnover. Some of the areas around fronting practice include setting up B-BBEE transactions that do not benefit black people. It could involve an agreement with another enterprise where there are significant limitations on what the company can do.
- The Bill establishes a BEE Commission whose job is to monitor compliance, fronting, interpretations, as well as promote adherence to the act and advocacy of BEE.
- The Bill defines a B-BBEE Verification Professional as being a person registered by the verification agency regulator or SANAS. This implies that verification analysts will themselves be accredited in some way. Recently the minister announced details of BEE Management course offered by Wits University and UNISA.
- In a clarification the Bill states that enterprises in a sector in which sector codes have been gazetted may only be measured for compliance in accordance with that sector code.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:
Listed companies are required to submit reports on their compliance to the BEE Commission.
- The SETAS must report on skills development spend and programmes to the BEE Commission.
- An area that was previously neglected: government’s own compliance with the codes, has been addressed.
- All organs of state, state owned enterprises and all spheres of government must report on their compliance with B-BBEE in their audited annual reports and financial statements. Section 10 of the old act has been expanded to require all organs of state to take into account and apply the codes for all dealings with private enterprise. Previously the act stated “where possible, apply the codes”. Now every sphere of government has to apply the codes. This has already started with the reconciliation of the PPPFA with B-BBEE. It does mean that every organisation that wishes to do business with government, or obtain licenses or other concessions must submit details of the compliance, ie a valid B-BBEE certificate.
- What is interesting is that the mining charter of the mining act is now in conflict with the B-BBEE Act.
- Interestingly section 23 of the proposed act states that other than the constitution, this act will prevail in any conflict with any other act which could imply that the mining act is about to change. However section 12 allows the minister to permit organs of state to determine their own transformation policies if they meet the requirements of the B-BBEE strategy.
- Regarding verification, IRBA (Independent Regulatory Body for Auditors) will regulate B-BBEE Verification Professionals.
- The Bill gives the minister the opportunity of issuing regulations, guidelines and practice notes. This will help in giving guidance for compliance and interpretations and various aspects of the codes.
Comments can be emailed to Xolisile Zondo at XZondo@thedti.gov.za or admin@beeadmin.co.za by no later than 8 February 2012
Enquiries tel Xolisile Zondo: 012 394 1609/1971
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National Health Insurance Coalition (NHIC) discussion document
National Health Insurance holds the potential to drastically improve health care across South Africa; civil society is organising to secure its success
Key members of civil society recently formed the National Health Insurance Coalition (NHIC) to collectively respond to and help develop National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHIC also intends to jointly endorse key submissions on NHI, encourage civil society participation in the NHI policy process and launch an advocacy campaign, among other things.
This week, the NHIC published a discussion document to facilitate exchange over the Green Paper on NHI. On 7 - 8 December 2011 the Department of Health (DoH) held an international consultation on NHI, during this consultation the NHIC held a successful side meeting to discuss the way forward.
NHIC comes at a crossroads in the development of NHI. The DoH has published the Green Paper on NHI, invited commentary and signaled an eagerness for input from civil society. The next step will be for DoH to publish a White Paper on NHI.
Engagement and dialogue from civil society are crucial during this stage of the NHI policy development process. In this moment of contingency NHI’s failure or success may depend on our efforts; collective action and public debate are the fulcrum, we must use them now. Together we bring a more forceful voice to the debate, and can ensure that NHI achieves its potential to be a major step toward quality health care for all.
Members of coalition and signatories to the discussion document include: People’s Health Movement South Africa (PHM-SA), SECTION27, Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Black Sash, Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP) Rural Rehab, Rural Doctor’s Association of South Africa (RuDASA), Passop, EarthLife Africa, Africa Health Placements (AHP).
To inquire about the National Health Insurance Coalition or join our efforts email: coordinator@phmsouthafrica.org. We can go far together.
Dr Alex Muller
coordinator@phmsouthafrica.org
tel: (021) 447 5770
cell: 072 413 8835
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Comment: Second-Hand Goods Act Draft Regulations
The South African Police Service is consulting on regulations under section 41(1) of the Second-Hand Goods Act, 2009 (Act No. 6 of 2009), with a view to submitting Draft Regulations to the Minister of Police for consideration when the Act comes into operation.
Comments can be emailed to Director J A van der Walt at vanderwaltja@saps.org.za by no later than 16 December 2011
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Comment & Public Hearings: Rental Housing Amendment Bill [B21-2011]
The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements invites all interested persons and stakeholders to submit written comments on the Rental Housing Amendment Bill [B21-2011].
The Rental Housing Amendment Bill seeks to:
- Amend the Rental Housing Act, No 50 of 1999;
- Address the implementation of various legal and administrative issues by the Rental Housing Tribunal.
Public hearings will be held at Parliament on 7 to 9 December 2011. All interested persons and stakeholders who wish to make a verbal presentation are to clearly indicate so in their written submissions. The Committee reserves the right to decide on who should be invited to make a verbal presentation.
Comments can be emailed to the Committee Secretary Mr Greg Rhoxo at grhoxo@parliament.gov.za by no later than 16:00 on Wednesday, 30 November 2011.
Enquiries tel Mr Greg Rhoxo: (021) 403 2282; cell 083 709 8386
Issued by: Ms BN Dambuza, MP, and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements.
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Comment & Public Hearings: South African Languages Bill (B23-2011)
The Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture invites stakeholders and interested parties to submit written submissions on the South African Languages Bill (B23-2011).
The purpose of the South African Languages Bill (B23-2011) is to:
▪ regulate and monitor the use of official languages by the national government for government purposes;
▪ promote parity of esteem and equitable treatment of the official languages of the Republic;
▪ facilitate equitable access to the services and information of the national government; and
▪ to promote good language management by the national government for efficient public service administration and to meet the needs of the public
Public hearings on the Bill will be held at Parliament on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 and Wednesday, 18 January 2012.
Comments can be emailed to the Committee Secretary Mr Johnny Van Der Westhuizen at jvanderwesthuizen@parliament.gov.za by no later than 12:00 on Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Enquiries tel Mr. Johnny Van Der Westhuizen: (021) 403-3714; Cell 073 709 8389;
Issued by Hon Ms TB Sunduza, MP, Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture
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Comment: Electronic Communications Amendment Draft Bill
The Department of Communications has prepared the proposed Electronic Communications Amendment Draft Bill that the Department wishes to submit to Parliament during the course of the 2012 Legislative Programme.
Interested persons can email written comments on the proposed Bill to Lerato Monareng at lerato@doc.gov.za by no later 5 December 2011.
Enquiries tel Lerato Monareng: (012) 427 8217 or Mameetse Mphahlele: (012) 420 7707
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Public Hearings Programme: National Climate Change Response White Paper 2011
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs (the Committee) recently invited written submissions on the National Climate Change Response White Paper 2011 from all interested parties and stakeholders in South Africa.
Due to time constraints the closing date for submitting written submissions did not allow for much time but the committee has been accepting submissions beyond the deadline and will continue to do so.
The Committee also wishes to acknowledge wide interest in participating in the public hearings which are scheduled to take place next week.
Kindly note that prospective participants can assume that their paper will have been read by the time of their oral submission is made. Each oral submission will be given 30-45 minutes in total for processing by the Committee. Therefore, each participant will be allocated only 10 -15 minutes to orally present the main points of his/her paper. The rest of the time slot will be used for questions and answers.
Please find Public Hearings Programme here . Time limits will be strictly adhered to.
If the time slot allocated to participants does not suit them they can change it with someone with a different time slot, but only if both parties agree in writing. The written confirmation must be given to the Committee Secretary, Ms T Madubela, before any changes will be effected.
Issued by committee Chairperson: Adv. Johny De Lange
For inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:Mava Lukani (Mr)
Phone: +27 (0) 21 403 8738 / Cell: +27 (0) 72 589 9355
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Comment: Land Reform Green Paper
The Department of Rural Development & Land Reform has published the Land Reform Green Paper for public comment.
Comments can be emailed to Mr Mtobeli Mxotwa at mmxotwa@ruraldevelopment.gov.za or
landreformgreenpaper@ruraldevelopment.gov.za
by no later than 29 November 2011.
Enquiries tel Mr Mtobeli Mxotwa: cell: 083 578 9023
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Comment: Protection of State Information Bill
Latest version of the bill: Protection of State Information Bill [B6B-2010]
The ANC has set up a committee to consider further public submissions on the Protection of State Information Bill after postponing the parliamentary vote on the bill last week.
“The committee will be responsible for co-ordinating public engagement with representatives from civil society, non-governmental and community-based organisations and interested individuals on the draft bill,” the office of ANC chief whip Mathole Motshekga said on Tuesday.
The committee would hold public meetings across the country to hear people's views on the bill.
A special ANC study group would consider written and oral submissions from interested parties in Parliament.
Submissions should be e-mailed to infobill@parliament.gov.za, faxed to 086-731-6737 or mailed to ANC Information Bill Office, Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8001.
Enquiries about the process could be directed to Silverton Ntushelo on 021-403-2643.
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