BASIC CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• The Department of Employment and Labour gazetted a notice adjusting the earnings threshold above which, from 1 April 2024, certain provisions in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997, will no longer apply.

 

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

• The Department of Home Affairs issued a ministerial determination in response to a Constitutional Court ruling handed down in June 2017, which declared invalid certain sections of the Immigration Act, 2002, dealing with procedures to be followed when detaining an illegal foreigner.

 

ANTI-TERRORISM MEASURES

• The Financial Intelligence Centre issued a  compliance communication providing guidance to accountable institutions regarding their obligations to implement:
  • UN Security Council resolutions, and
  • the asset freezing requirements entailed in targeted financial sanctions.

 

BIODIVERSITY

• The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment gazetted a notice reducing the time available to comment on a draft reviewed strategy for the national biodiversity economy.
• The department also issued a notice calling for public comments on South African National Biodiversity Institute findings on the impact of trade in local species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

 

AIR QUALITY

• The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment called for public comments on draft amendments to regulations on dust control prescribed under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004. Once finalised and operationalised, among other things the amendments are expected to improve the implementation and effectiveness of dust management plans.

 

COURT RULES

• The Rules Board for Courts of Law gazetted amendments to rules regulating the conduct of proceedings in the Magistrates’ and High Courts. Both sets of amendments will come into force on 12 April 2024.
• Amendments to the Magistrates’ Court rules affect, among other things:
  • a sheriff’s obligations when serving a notice
  • proceedings deemed urgent
  • executions against immovable property
  • auctions, and
  • security on lodging an appeal.
• Amendments to the High Court rules affect:
  • obligations when serving a notice
  • subpoenas, and
  • fees and costs.

 

Prepared by Pam Saxby