National Forest and Fire Laws Amendment Bill: Negotiating Mandates; Kwazulu-Natal Study Tour Report

Meeting report

LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE
23 May 2001
NATIONAL FOREST AND FIRE LAWS AMENDMENT BILL: NEGOTIATING MANDATES; KWAZULU-NATAL STUDY TOUR REPORT

Chairperson: Mr D Moatshe

Documents handed out
National Forest & Fire Laws Amendment Bill [14-2000]
Report on the study tour to KwaZulu-Natal

SUMMARY
All the provinces (except Mpumalanga) had been given negotiating mandates to vote in favour of the Bill. There were no amendments but minor clarifications. The KwaZulu-Natal study tour report was adopted.

MINUTES
Six delegates from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry were present namely, Ms Linda Swanepoel Director: Forestry Regulation, Ms Jennifer Kock: Deputy Director: Forestry Regulation, Adv. Zakhele Mvemve: Legal Officer, Mr Thami Mohlomi, Mr H Combrinck, Mr P Malefane.

Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape was given the mandate to vote for the amendments. Clarification on some aspects of the Bill was provided by Ms Swanepoel.

Free State
Free State supported the Bill without further comment and amendments.

Gauteng
Gauteng supported the Bill without amendments.

Kwazulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal supported the Bill without amendments.

Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga had no mandate at the time of the meeting. The reason that Mr Taabe put forward was that the matter was still under consideration but he was positive that there would be no problem in getting the mandate to support the Bill.

Mpumalanga was reprimanded for handling the deadline in such an unprofessional manner and warned that such behaviour trivialised parliamentary process and would not be tolerated in future.

It was also agreed that Mpumalanga's final written mandate (which was forthcoming) would not be allowed to modify any agreements that would be reached with regard to the Bill at this meeting.

Northern Cape
Northern Cape supported the Bill and proposed an omission that was agreed to by the Committee.

Northern Province
Northern Province supported the Bill with no further comments and amendments.

North West
North West supported the Bill.

Western Cape
Western Cape supported the Bill without further comments and amendments.

Report on Study Tour to KwaZuluNatal
Ms B Thompson commended the Department's effort to undertake the study and produce the report. There was some observable decline in the prevalence of cholera in the region. However, she was not satisfied with the Department's approach to the foot and mouth disease.

Discussion
Ms Vilakazi commended the report and said that it was user friendly and readable.

Mr van Niekerk pointed out that Committee needed to be pro-active rather that reactive in dealing with the foot and mouth disease. The Committee was supposed to have embarked on the fact-finding mission earlier than it did.
Ms Dlulane and Ms Vilakazi supported this argument.

Mr Mokoena asked for the difference between "stamping out" the foot and mouth disease and vaccination.

Mr van Niekerk explained the difference and why it was advisable to stamp out the disease instead of vaccination.

Mr Nyakane observed that there was conflict between the local and Western approach to the foot and mouth disease and cholera.

Ms Vilakazi agreed and emphasised the need for providing victims with correct information so that they can make informed decision or understand government action.
Mr van Niekerk agreed.

Ms Thompson suggested that study tour should not take place only once, but that committed members need to go back to the sites for evaluation.

Mr Mokoena moved that the report be adopted.

Ms Versveld seconded him.

The house adopted the report.

Forthcoming Visit
The delegation of the forthcoming fact finding tour to KwaZulu-Natal will consist of Mr Nyakane, Ms Thompson and Ms Vilakazi.

The delegation for the Western Cape tour will consist of Rev M Chabaku, Ms E Gouws, Mr D Kgware, Mr M Mokoena, Mr T Taabe, Mr A van Niekerk and Ms A Versveld.

The Chairperson suggested that delegates should choose a spokesperson to represent them on the site visits. The house agreed to it.

Ms Versveld emphasised that there was a need for a structured and efficient way to meet with the community. She asked that in future the Committee clerk should make the details of the tours available on time.

The meeting was adjourned.