ATC200318: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on the Social Assistance Amendment Bill [B 8 – 2018] (National Assembly – sec 76)], dated 17 March 2020

Social Development

[The following report, replaces the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, which was published in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports dated 18 March 2020]

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on the Social Assistance Amendment Bill [B 8 – 2018] (National Assembly – sec 76)], dated 17 March 2020

 

The Portfolio Committee on Social Development, having considered the subject of the Social Assistance Amendment Bill [B 8 – 2018] (National Assembly – sec 76)], referred to it and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 76 Bill, reports the Bill with amendments.  The Committee wishes to report as follows:

 

On 29 October 2019, the Social Assistance Amendment Bill, [B8 – 2018] was revived by House resolution and referred to the Committee for consideration and report.  On 13 November 2019, the Committee was briefed by the Department of Social Development on the contents of the Bill.  The Committee resolved to place an advertisement requesting the public to submit written submissions and also to indicate their interest to make oral submissions on the Bill.  An advertisement was placed from 15 November to 13 December 2019.  This was in adherence to the Constitutional mandate to involve public in Parliament’s legislative processes.

 

In response to a call for public comments the Committee received a total of six (6) submissions from various stakeholders who expressed their interest in making oral submissions. The stakeholders were as follows:

• Black Sash Trust,
• Children’s Institute,
• Centre for Child Law,
• Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office,
• Children in Distress Network,
•  and Ms Nomhle Nkwanyana.

The Committee conducted public hearings on 26 February 2020, and all the above mentioned interested stakeholders made their oral submissions before the committee.  The Committee after public hearings invited the Department of Social Development to respond to issues raised on submissions by the public. The Committee proceeded to the formal stage of the Bill (clause by clause).

 

The Committee proposed the following amendment:

                                                            Clause 7

1. On page 4, in line 4, after “must”, to insert “, after consultation with Parliament,”.

 

Clause 11

1. On page 5, in line 31, to omit 2018 and to substitute 2020 Act.

 

Clause 12

1. On page 5, in line 48, to omit “2018” and substitute “2020”.

 

The Committee unanimously agreed to the Bill with amendments.

 

Report to be considered.