Land Restitution and Reform Laws Amendment Bill

AGRICULTURE, LAND & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE
24 February 1999
LAND RESTITUTION AND REFORM LAWS AMENDMENT BILL

Documents handed out:
Land Restitution and Reform Laws Amendment Bill [B9B-99]

MINUTES
The Chair noted the apology from Dr Gous (FF), stating that he had recently had an operation on his knee. The chair read the motion of desirability for the Land Restitution and Reform Laws Amendment Bill. The motion was passed.

The chair went through the Bill page by page, asking for proposed amendments. The Democratic Party requested that the date for claims be extended. The New National Party stated that this would be difficult to support. The Inkhata Freedom Party could sympathize with the Democratic Party request for those who did not get claims in. The department noted that this was a fundamental issue, which was not included in the mandate from Cabinet. Any such change would have to be sent back to Cabinet for review. A new comprehensive amendment act would be brought to Parliament within the year, which would look at all issues relating to the restitution process. This Bill contained interim measures to speed up delivery, and would urge that it went through.

The African National Congress stated it could not support the proposed amendment. The Inkhata Freedom Party had sympathy with the problem, but had no position. The Freedom Front did not support the proposal. The New National Party had sympathy with the problems, but as it was not part of the cabinet mandate, did not want to delay the speeding up of the restitution process.

The New National Party proposed that the word "amend" be deleted from clause 13, (eA). The New National Party was concerned that the court could change an agreement between two people. The Democratic Party withheld comment. The Inkhata Freedom Party, African National Congress did not support the amendment. The Freedom Front supported the change.

The Bill was then passed by the committee, with the New National Party objection to clause 13 being noted.