3 Bills That Hold Consequences For SA’s Future – Speak Up Now!

South Africa is currently in her most defining season ever. There are critical decisions that need to be made concerning South Africa’s destiny over the next few months leading up the elections. Prior to the elections there are a number of bills which are currently being considered and are now open for public comment before final deliberations.

There are THREE bills, in particular which have enormous overarching implications and consequences for the nation. It is vital that you as a leader help to educate your congregations about the coming bills, the implications of the bills and the need to participate in giving comment.

These bills are:
1. Hate Speech Bill including the CSE, (Child Sexuality Education Bill)
2. Electoral Act
3. Land expropriation Bill

1. Hate Speech Bill
The Hate speech bill is a huge threat to democracy, in that it will severely curtail freedom of speech. It is even more so of a threat to Churches and the Body of Christ, as court cases and precedents have already been set internationally determining that much of scripture which relates to biblically defined sin and unrighteousness, is defined as “hate speech”.

Under the new laws, hate speech will be defined as a clear intention to be harmful or to incite harm, or promote or propagate hatred to certain groups and categories of people.The definition of what constitutes hate is very wide and subjective and will most likely have the biggest adverse effect on the Church and Body of Christ. Anyone found to be in contravention of the Hate Speech may be subjected to up to three years imprisonment.

The controversial Hate Speech Bill, which will criminalise certain forms of speech, is now open for public comment until 15 February 2019. Comments can be sent to Mr Vhonani Ramaano at vramaano@parliament.gov.za. (A copy of the revised draft of the Bill is available here).

Freedom of Speech (Hate Speech Bill) Pearl Kupe:

Child Sexuality Bill (Pearl Kupe):

2. Electoral Act
This is a private members’ amendment bill in Parliament, to allow individuals to stand in the 2019 general election.IMPORTANT ELECTORAL LAWS AMENDMENT BILL. This bill follows a recent ruling of the Constitutional Court, which found that “every adult citizen may in terms of the Constitution stand as an independent candidate to be elected to municipalities, provincial legislatures or the National Assembly”.

The Bill seeks to amend the Electoral Act to give full effect to section 19(3)(b) of the Constitution, which provides that every South African citizen has the fundamental right to stand for public office and, if elected, to hold office, to ensure that individuals can stand for office as independent candidates without belonging to a party and to promote democratic governance and electoral accountability.

Interested parties and institutions are invited to submit written representations on the proposed content of the draft bill to the Speaker of the National Assembly by January 21, 2019.

Representations can be delivered to the Speaker, New Assembly Building, Parliament Street, Cape Town; mailed to Speaker, PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000, or emailed to speaker@parliament.gov.za and copied to mlekota@parliament.gov.za. The new Electoral Laws Amendment Bill seeks to amend the current Electoral Bill to:

New Independent Bill (Pearl Kupe):

3. Land Expropriation Bill`
The government has released a draft Expropriation Bill that outlines the circumstances under which the state can take land without paying for it. This bill was released on Dec 21 for public comment. The public has until Feb 15 to provide written submissions about the bill. 

The Minister of Public Works, having obtained Cabinet approval, hereby publish the draft Expropriation Bill, 2019 for broader public comment.

Interested persons may submit written comments on the draft Expropriation Bill, 2019

The Director-General,
Department of Public Works
Private Bag X65
PRETORIA 0001

Or hand deliver to:
Central Government Offices (CGO)
Building 256
Madiba street
Pretoria
0002
Tel No: 012 406 2000/012 406 1315 /012 406 1567
Facsimile: 086-272-4554
E-mail: livhuwani.ndou@dpw.gov.za / johannes.lekala@dpw.gov.za
For Attention: Livhuwani Ndou / Johannes Lekala

Draft Expropriation Bill (Pearl Kupe):

I Am The Story (Pearl Kupe):

Date published: 20/01/2019
Written by: Pearl Kupe
Feature image: Pearl Kupe
Article source: Supplied