Thursday 5 May 2016

Parliament invites submissions on changes to Constitution

Members of the public can have their say on which parts of the Constitution they believe should be reviewed after Parliament’s joint constitutional review committee on Thursday extended an invitation for submissions.

The Constitution has been in the limelight more than ever over since the Constitutional Court on March 31 ruled that the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s remedial action must be adhered to in the case of the millions of rands of state money spent on non-security upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s home in Nkandla.

Also, in an interview with Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, broadcast by Al-Jazeera on Sunday evening, Malema questioned if it was time for the Constitution to be tested over whether it was still necessary to pay compensation when land was expropriated.

Section 45 (1)(c) of the Constitution stipulates the committee must review the Constitution at least annually.

Further information and written submissions can be sent to Ms Pat Jayiya, Committee Section, PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000; or delivered to W/S 3/091, 90 Plein St. For more information, tel: 021 403 3661, fax 0865 141 638, cell 081 441 0345 or email pjayiya@parliament.gov.za.

The closing date is May 31 2016. The submissions would then discussed at public hearings but were unlikely to be heard before the August 3 elections, according to previous meetings on the issue.

Copies of the Constitution are available from the nearest offices of the department of justice and constitutional development, the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) or from a Multipurpose Community Centre.

Source: News24