Justice and Correctional Services Committee Adopts Criminal Matters Amendment Bill and Judicial Matters Bill
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services today adopted the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill as well as the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill.
The Criminal Matters Amendment Bill is intended to build safer communities by addressing damage to essential infrastructure and the theft of metal from essential infrastructure that is used to provide or distribute basic services to the public.
The Committee highlighted that criminal activity of this kind poses substantial risk to, amongst other things, public safety, electricity and water supply, communication and transportation.
Committee Chairperson Dr Mathole Motshekga said the Committee is of the view that the legislation is urgently required, as the level of essential infrastructure-related crime in South Africa is unacceptably high and increasingly involves organised syndicates. “In the Committee’s view we must act decisively to combat this form of criminal activity, which disrupts the provision of basic services, relating to energy, transport, water, sanitation and communication,” said Dr Motshekga.
“These disruptions are not only costly, but impact on the daily life of everyone in South Africa who must do without water or electricity.”
Given the impact of this form of criminal activity, the Bill also introduces strict conditions for the granting of bail for those accused of committing these kinds of offences, as well as making minimum sentences applicable on conviction.
During deliberations, Dr Motshekga said that the Committee considered proposals to extend the scope of the Bill to included loss, damage or tampering with essential infrastructure of health and education services.
“The Committee believes that there is merit in the proposals, but is concerned that this would delay the Bill, which is considered urgent. The Committee therefore requests that the Ministry look into the proposals and report to Parliament on the outcome and its findings within 12 months.”
The Committee said amendments contained in the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill, 2015, address practical challenges identified in the application of the Acts being amended. They are mainly technical in nature.
The main object of the Bill is to amend, amongst other things, the following pieces of legislation, the Magistrates’ Court Act, The Criminal Procedure Act, the Magistrates Act, the Judicial Services Commission Act, the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, the Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act.
Both Bills will now be referred to the National Assembly for approval.
Enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
RajaaAzzakani (Ms)
Tel: 021403 8437
Cell: 081703 9542
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
