Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Bills

The Select Committee on Security and Justice invites you to submit written submissions on the three Gender-Based Violence (GBV) bills: Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill [B 17B –2020] (National Assembly – sec 75).; Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill [B 16B 2020]  and Domestic Violence Amendment Bill [B 20B – 2020].

Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill [B 17B –2020]

The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill [B 17B – 2020] (National Assembly – sec 75) seeks to amend—
▪ the Magistrates’ Courts Act, 1944, so as to provide for the appointment of intermediaries and the giving of evidence through intermediaries in proceedings other than criminal proceedings; the oath and competency of intermediaries; and the giving of evidence through audiovisual link in proceedings other than criminal proceedings;
▪ the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977, so as to further regulate the granting and cancellation of bail; the giving of evidence by means of closed circuit television or similar electronic media; the giving of evidence by a witness with physical, psychological or mental disability; the appointment, oath and competency of intermediaries; and the right of a complainant in a domestic related offence to participate in parole proceedings;
▪ the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997, so as to further regulate sentences in respect of offences that have been committed against vulnerable persons; and
▪ the Superior Courts Act, 2013, so as to provide for the appointment of intermediaries and the giving of evidence through intermediaries in proceedings
other than criminal proceedings; the oath and competency of intermediaries; and the giving of evidence through audiovisual link in proceedings other than
criminal proceedings, and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Comments can be emailed to [email protected] by no later than 5pm on Friday, 16 July 2021. The original deadline was 9 July.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill [B 16B 2020]

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill [B 16B 2020] (National Assembly – sec 75) seeks to amend the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007, so as to:
▪ extend the ambit of the offence of incest;
▪ introduce a new offence of sexual intimidation;
▪ further regulate the inclusion of particulars of persons in the National Register for Sex Offenders;
▪ extend the list of persons who are to be protected in terms of Chapter 6 of the Act;
▪ extend the list of persons who are entitled to submit applications to the Registrar of the National Register for Sex Offenders;
▪ further regulate the removal of particulars of persons from the National Register for Sex Offenders; and
▪further regulate the reporting duty of persons who are aware that sexual offences have been committed against persons who are vulnerable, and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Comments can be emailed to [email protected]. by no later than 5pm on Friday, 16 July 2021. The original deadline was 9 July.

Domestic Violence Amendment Bill [B 20B – 2020]

The Domestic Violence Amendment Bill [B 20B – 2020] (National Assembly – sec 75) seeks to amend the Domestic Violence Act, 1998 so as to:
▪ amend and insert certain definitions;
▪ further provide for the manner in which acts of domestic violence and matters related thereto, must be dealt with;
▪ further regulate protection orders in response to acts of domestic violence;
▪ amend provisions of certain laws; and
▪ provide for matters connected therewith.

Comments can be emailed to [email protected] by no later than 5pm on Friday, 16 July 2021. The original deadline was 9 July.

Enquiries can be sent to:

Issued by Hon. S Shaikh, MP, Chairperson: Select Committee on Security and Justice

Tracking the Gender-Based Violence Bills in Parliament

How to write a submission