ATC190319: Report of the Select Committee on Land and Mineral Resources on the Electronic Deeds Registration Systems Bill [B 35B - 2017] (National Assembly – Section 75), dated 19 March 2019

NCOP Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy

Report of the Select Committee on Land and Mineral Resources on the Electronic Deeds Registration Systems Bill [B 35B - 2017] (National Assembly – Section 75), dated 19 March 2019.
 

The Bill was referred to the committee on 13 November 2018, and on the 6th December 2018 the Committee placed an advertisement on the Parliamentary Website calling for public comments.   The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform briefed the committee on 29 January 2019 on the Electronic Deeds Registration System Bill [B 35B - 2017], with no public comment having been received.

 

The Committee resolved that the public consultation period should be extended, with the advertisement calling for public comments to be placed on the Parliamentary Website, in relevant newspaper and various radio stations. To date, eight submissions were received of which three were merely comments made. The submissions received were from, Mr M Surgeon; Ms N Bam-Tshangana; Ms P Faas, Banking Association of SA; Law Society of SA; amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism; University of JHB; and Johan Schoon for Du Plessis and Viviers.     

 

During the deliberations of 12 March 2019, the Committee noted and extensively deliberated on the proposed definition of a “Statutory Officer”. In essence, the Committee agrees that the said definition would add value in clarifying potential confusion in the interpretation of the Act. However, the Committee is of the view that this definition may be introduced at a later stage as a technical amendment to provide more clarity on the legislation. The Committee is of the view that this definition is key, however, it found that this amendment is of a technical nature which should not delay the passing of the Bill. The Committee considered the principle of passing the Bill as far too important to be delayed due to an issue of a technical nature, which could be fixed through a technical amendment by the Department a soon as possible. The Committee implored the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to prepare and introduce a technical amendment in this regard before the 6th Parliament for consideration.

 

The Select Committee on Land and Mineral Resources, having deliberated on and considered the subject of the Electronic Deeds Registration Systems Bill [B 35B - 2017] (National Assembly – sec 75), referred to it and classified by the JTM as a section 75 Bill, agrees to the Bill without amendments.   

 

 

Report to be considered