Cabinet has given the greenlight for a number of new bills to be submitted to Parliament Among them is new legislation on discrimination, land and the establishment of another state bank in the form of Postbank.
Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, indicated in a media briefing yesterday that all the bills will go through the proper public participation process which will include open comment periods.
Land Court Bill
The Bill establishes a special court for legal cases related to land, the court’s orders, judgments and decisions will be appealable through another proposed court, the Land Court of Appeal.
Said Ntshavheni: “The bill will resolve the challenges that were experienced under the Restitution of Land Right Act, such as backlogs in land claims and dispute resolution mechanisms when disputes arise,”
South African Postbank Amendment Bill
The Acting Minister in the Presidency said this bill allows for a Postbank Holding Company to be established in terms of the Banks Act.
Says Ntshavheni: “The company will provide for the inclusion pf financially excluded members of the public to participate meaningfully in economic activities. It will also provide a facility for some of the government’s financial services,”
The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Amendment Bill
According to Ntshavheni this bill addresses weaknesses of the current Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act that was introduced in 2000.
“The proposed amendments will strengthen its ability to prevent discrimination and promote equality for all South Africans,” she said.
Gas Amendment Bill
This bill aims to align the gas industry with new developments in the industry such as new transportation technologies of natural and unconventional gases that are not addressed in the current Gas Act from 2001.