National Prosecuting Authority Bill & Promotion of National Unity & Reconciliation Amendment Bill [B48-98]: deliberations

JUSTICE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
2 June1998
NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY BILL & PROMOTION OF NATIONAL UNITY & RECONCILIATION AMENDMENT BILL [B48-98]: DELIBERATIONS

Documents handed out:
Promotion of National Unity And Reconciliation Amendment Bill [B48-98]

NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY BILL [B113-97]
Mr Hofmeyr informed the meeting that it was hoped that the National Prosecuting Authority Bill could be passed on Tuesday, 9 June, in the National Assembly and that committee members should be prepared to vote on the Bill either this Thursday or Friday. Mr de Lange is awaiting responses from various legal bodies.
Two items of information from Mr de Lange were that:
The interim bargaining chamber will not proceed.
Attorneys are allowed a right of appearance in court and that this right is not dependent on approval from the National Director.

Mr de Lange also informed the meeting that there had been talk of withdrawing the whole Bill and substituting it with one of the Portfolio Committee's versions. This will be discussed.

PROMOTION OF NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION AMENDMENT BILL [B48-98]
Mr de Lange presented this bill and called for proposals or changes.

Mr van Heerden wanted clarification of the words: "work" and "activities" in Sub clause 2 clarified.
Mrs Camerer posed the question why the extensions to the TRC which were amended last November have continued past 2 June 1998, the cut-off date.
Adv. O Malley queried whether the TRC was acting outside of the law.
Mr de Lange replied that Parliament can ratify the activities of the TRC.
Ms Jana queried whether the Bill ratifies all the activities of the TRC continuing.

The next meeting of the Committee takes place tomorrow, 3 June 1998 at 9am.