Question NW1759 to the President of the Republic
20 September 2016 - NW1759
Carter, Ms D to ask the President of the Republic
(1)Has he received representations from the Progressive Professionals Forum, in light of the fact that in May 2016 Parliament passed the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Bill, which is now awaiting his assent and which seeks to bring South Africa in line with the new Financial Action task Force, especially the need to enhance due diligence by banks and other financial institutions of politically exposed people when they transact through the banking system (details furnished); if so, (a) did he find substantive merit in these representations and (b) what steps will he take in this regard; (2) what is preventing him from assenting to the Bill given the rampant corruption and the international imperatives underpinning the Bill as preventative anti-laundering measures are a vital means of combatting corruption?
Reply:
I received an objection to the signing of the bill from the Progressive Professionals Forum. When I get petitioned not to sign a bill, I have to consider the merits of such objection focusing mainly on whether the interested parties raise valid constitutional issues.
It is not the first time that I have taken time to consider a bill for similar reasons. Currently, I have not signed the Expropriation Bill, the Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment Bill and the Protection of State Information Bill, because various parties petitioned me not to do so, citing concerns about their constitutionality. All these concerns are being looked into.