Criminal Matters Amendment Bill [B20 – 2015]

The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services invites you to submit written submissions on the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill [B20 – 2015]:

The purpose of the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill is to:
▪ amend the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977, so as to regulate bail in respect of essential infrastructure-related offences;
▪ amend the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997, so as to regulate the imposition of discretionary minimum sentences for essential infrastructure-related offences;
▪ create a new offence relating to essential infrastructure.

Please indicate your interest in making a verbal presentation. Public hearings will be held in Parliament.  

Comments can be emailed to Mr. V Ramaano at [email protected] by no later than Friday, 18 September 2015.

For Public hearings’ dates and enquiries please contact Mr. V Ramaano on tel (021) 403 3829 or cell 083 709 8427.

Issued by Hon. M Motshekga, MP, Chairperson: PC on Justice and Correctional Services

Background
The level of crime in South Africa relating to essential infrastructure, used to provide or distribute basic services to the public, especially involving both ferrous and non-ferrous metal, is unacceptably high. It poses a risk to, among others, public safety, electricity supply, provision of water, communications and transportation and has a negative impact on South Africa’s economy, society and infrastructure. Essential infrastructure-related offences are becoming increasingly more organised and are often committed by armed and dangerous criminal groups.